Impact of Empire

Coordinator: J.W. Drijvers University of Groningen Further information on Impact of Empire.

General: This research group concentrates on the interaction between state policy (the actions of governments and their apparatus) and the society and culture of the Roman Empire. The focus is on the second and third century CE (97-305 CE), with extensions to the first and fourth century. Study of the interaction between state and society breaks down into four disciplines: economical history, administration and prosopography, ideology and micro-history. The choice of these four disciplines leads to the centre of the problematic: the changes in the economical relations, the developments in structure and personal filling of administration, ideological shifts and the complex functioning of small communities afford a direct insight into the mutual relations between state and society. Research takes place mainly on the basis of ancient texts. Texts (inscriptions, papyri and historiographical or legal texts) may, if necessary, first be disclosed by means of editions and (historical) commentaries. The so-called ‘reach of state’-research, as practiced by historians, politicologists and anthropologists, is also made productive for the group’s area of interest.

The economical Impact of Empire
Object of research are the production of and access to essential goods and services, both in the empire in general and in its constituent parts (down to the local level). E.g. the influence of the infrastructures of major concentrations of consumers stimulated by the presence of administration, such as Rome or the large concentrations of soldiers guarding the Empire’s boundaries.
The administrative Impact of Empire
The influence of state policy on the personal filling of the administrative apparatus, on the level of State, Province and City, and the social mobility between these levels in particular.
The ideological Impact of Empire
The representation and perception of the empire in various cultural expressions from the first through the third century CE, and the relation between administrators and intellectuals and/or artists.
Micro-history of the Impact of Empire
The ‘impact’ of Imperial power in the Roman imperial period on the economy, social relations, daily life and moral attitudes of groups and communities in various regions of the imperium (acculturation processes).

Webredactie OIKOS – 03/03/2010