This broad-ranging reader on Roman imperialism brings together ancient documents in translation and a selection of the best recent scholarly essays, in order to introduce students to the major problems and controversies in studying this central aspect of Roman history.

This book combining ancient documents in translation and a selection of the best recent scholarship on the subject. It introduces students to the major problems and controversies in the study of Roman imperialism. It examines diverse aspects of Roman imperialism, from the Romans’ motivations in acquiring an empire and their ideological justifications for imperial domination, to the complex political, economic, and cultural interactions between the Romans, their allies, and the subjected peoples.

It also includes an introduction surveys modern work on Roman imperialism and provides the context of recent theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of empires in general and notes with suggestions for further reading.