Globalisation and the Roman World
World History, Connectivity and Material Culture

This book applies modern theories of globalisation to the ancient Roman world, creating new understandings of Roman archaeology and history.

Martin Pitts (Edited by), Miguel John Versluys (Edited by)

9781107043749, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 October 2014

308 pages, 20 b/w illus. 2 maps
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.58 kg

This book explores a new perspective for understanding the Roman world, using connectivity as a major point of departure. Globalisation is apparent in increased flows of objects, people and ideas and in the creation of translocal consciousness in everyday life. Based on these criteria, there is a case for globalisation in the ancient Roman world. Essential for anyone interested in Romanisation, this volume provides the first sustained critical exploration of globalisation theories in Roman archaeology and history. It is written by an international group of scholars who address a broad range of subjects, including Roman imperialism, economics, consumption, urbanism, migration, visual culture and heritage. The contributors explore the implications of understanding material culture in an interconnected Roman world, highlighting several novel directions for future research.

Part I. Introductions: 1. Globalisations and the Roman world: perspectives and opportunities Martin Pitts and Miguel John Versluys
2. Postcolonial and global Rome: the genealogy of empire Richard Hingley
Part II. Case Studies: 3. Globalisation and the Roman economy Neville Morley
4. Globalisation, circulation and mass consumption in the Roman world Martin Pitts
5. The global and the local in the Roman Empire: connectivity and mobility from an urban perspective Ray Laurence and Francesco Trifilò
6. Polybius' global moment and human mobility throughout ancient Italy Elena Isayev
7. Roman visual material culture as globalising koine Miguel John Versluys
8. Oikoymenh: longue durée perspectives on ancient Mediterranean globality Michael Sommer
9. Globalisation and Roman cultural heritage Rob Witcher
Part III. Perspectives: 10. Ancient Rome and globalisation: decentering Rome Jan Nederveen Pieterse
11. Global, local and in between: connectivity and the Mediterranean Tamar Hodos.

Subject Areas: Classical Greek & Roman archaeology [HDDK], Colonialism & imperialism [HBTQ], Social & cultural history [HBTB], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1]