Ethnicity, identity and the development of the Roman frontier in Central Europe
The purpose of this thesis is to identify and examine the degree to which ethnicity, specifically the etic Roman ethnicity of Gallic and Germanic tribes, affected the development of the Roman frontier in Central Europe from around the 1st century BC through to the 1st century AD. Of primary concern is the etic ethnic identities Roman society created around the Gallic and Germanic tribal groups. Analysis of textual and archaeological evidence from the period shows that there was a consistent discourse surrounding these tribal groups; and that this discourse, while fluctuating and changing in response to changing political and military events, presented a number of recurring ethnic traits. Taking these key Gallic and Germanic etic ethnic traits, the thesis discusses the influence such identities had on the development of the Rhine Frontier. Firstly, through a consideration of the Roman conceptualization of their empire and frontier and its evolution between the 1st century BC through to the 1st century AD. Followed by an assessment of the Roman state's ability to gather objective information regarding the frontier zone and then its capability in translating this information into effective strategic decision
Frith, Andrew J.
Ethnicity, identity and the development of the Roman frontier in Central Europe. The purpose of this thesis is to identify and examine the degree to which ethnicity, specifically the etic Roman ethnicity of Gallic and Germanic tribes, affected the development of the Roman frontier in Central Europe from around the 1st century BC through to the 1st century AD. Of primary concern is the etic ethnic identities Roman society created around the Gallic and Germanic tribal groups. Analysis of textual and archaeological evidence from the period shows that there was a consistent discourse surrounding these tribal groups; and that this discourse, while fluctuating and changing in response to changing political and military events, presented a number of recurring ethnic traits. Taking these key Gallic and Germanic etic ethnic traits, the thesis discusses the influence such identities had on the development of the Rhine Frontier. Firstly, through a consideration of the Roman conceptualization of their empire and frontier and its evolution between the 1st century BC through to the 1st century AD. Followed by an assessment of the Roman state's ability to gather objective information regarding the frontier zone and then its capability in translating this information into effective strategic decision
ethnicity identity development roman_frontier central_europe purpose identify examine degree ethnicity specifically roman ethnicity gallic germanic tribe affect_development roman_frontier central_europe primary_concern ethnic_identity roman_society create around gallic germanic tribal group analysis textual_archaeological evidence period show consistent discourse_surround tribal group discourse fluctuate change response change political_military event present number recur ethnic trait taking key gallic germanic ethnic trait discus influence identity development rhine frontier firstly consideration roman conceptualization empire frontier evolution century followed assessment roman state ability gather objective information_regard frontier zone capability translate information effective strategic decision