Defining a Roman identity in the Res Gestae of Ammianus Marcellinus : the dialogue between "Roman" and "foreign"
This thesis argues that Ammianus is interested in, and attempts to define, a Roman identity applicable to his own multifarious world. It argues that Ammianus and some of his peers discern a clear increase in the number of foreigners and outsiders in the empire. While some of his peers lament this perception and adopt a hard-line approach, Ammianus has a much more nuanced view. It is argued that the model of Roman identity which he devises not only accounts for foreigners, but actually, in some cases, makes them exemplars of a flexible Roman identity based chiefly on the notion of appropriate behaviour. In this sense, his identity scheme is ultimately integrative and inclusive. As part of his definition of identity, Ammianus utilises an ~outsider~ perspective. This perspective is shown to dictate not only how he portrays his characters and their deeds, but even how he reflects on the substance of Romanness as a continual dialogue between ~Roman~ and ~foreign~, broadly conceived. It is finally argued that the historian's purpose in defining such an identity is to ensure that the eternity of the empire, in which he firmly believes, is safeguarded by future ~Romans~ who perhaps may never even see the City itself,
Williams, Guy
barbarians ; Ammianus Marcellinus ; Roman identity ; Rome ; Late Antiquity ; Romans ; Huns ; identity
Defining a Roman identity in the Res Gestae of Ammianus Marcellinus : the dialogue between "Roman" and "foreign". This thesis argues that Ammianus is interested in, and attempts to define, a Roman identity applicable to his own multifarious world. It argues that Ammianus and some of his peers discern a clear increase in the number of foreigners and outsiders in the empire. While some of his peers lament this perception and adopt a hard-line approach, Ammianus has a much more nuanced view. It is argued that the model of Roman identity which he devises not only accounts for foreigners, but actually, in some cases, makes them exemplars of a flexible Roman identity based chiefly on the notion of appropriate behaviour. In this sense, his identity scheme is ultimately integrative and inclusive. As part of his definition of identity, Ammianus utilises an ~outsider~ perspective. This perspective is shown to dictate not only how he portrays his characters and their deeds, but even how he reflects on the substance of Romanness as a continual dialogue between ~Roman~ and ~foreign~, broadly conceived. It is finally argued that the historian's purpose in defining such an identity is to ensure that the eternity of the empire, in which he firmly believes, is safeguarded by future ~Romans~ who perhaps may never even see the City itself,
defining roman_identity res dialogue roman foreign argues interested attempts define roman_identity applicable multifarious world argues peer discern clear increase_number foreigner outsider empire peer perception adopt hard line much nuanced view argue model roman_identity devise account foreigner actually case make exemplar flexible roman_identity base chiefly notion appropriate behaviour sense_identity scheme ultimately integrative inclusive part definition identity utilise outsider perspective perspective show dictate portrays character deed even reflect substance continual dialogue roman foreign broadly conceive finally argue historian purpose define identity ensure eternity empire firmly believe safeguard future romans perhaps may never even see city