Peoples of the Roman World

In this highly-illustrated book, Mary T. Boatwright examines five of the peoples incorporated into the Roman world from the Republican through the Imperial periods: northerners, Greeks, Egyptians, Jews and Christians. She explores the tension between assimilation and distinctiveness in the Roman world over time, as well as the changes effected in Rome by its multicultural nature. Underlining the fundamental importance of diversity in Rome’s self-identity, the book explores Roman tolerance of difference and community as the Romans expanded and consolidated their power and incorporated other peoples into their empire. Peoples of the Roman World provides an accessible account of Rome’s social, cultural, religious and political history, exploring the rich literary, documentary and visual evidence for these peoples and Rome’s reactions to them.