The Roman elite and the power of the past : continuity and change in Ostrogothic Italy
This thesis examines the changes forced upon the Roman elite in the evolving political climate of Ostrogothic Italy. It examines what mechanisms the Roman elite employed to renegotiate their position of influence within the state. The relationship the elite had with the past provides evidence for wider changes in society. I assert that, using the language and landscape of the past, the elite formed discourses which responded to, and which attempted to facilitate a realignment in, a changing environment. The education system still provided the Roman elite with a mechanism through which they could define themselves and prepare for what they considered to be the important aspects of the world outside the classroom. Religious discussions and debate in the post-imperial Italy of Late Antiquity were increasingly directed toward attempts to reunite the fractured Roman Empire through a unified empire of Orthodox faith. Having such a close relationship with the Roman Empire and its political and philosophical culture, education and religion are particularly suitable fields to reflect the changes to the political map of the Roman Empire. Focusing on the eliteâs relationship with education and religion, this thesis
McOmish, David Malcolm
DE The Mediterranean Region. The Greco-Roman World ; D051 Ancient History ; D111 Medieval History
The Roman elite and the power of the past : continuity and change in Ostrogothic Italy. This thesis examines the changes forced upon the Roman elite in the evolving political climate of Ostrogothic Italy. It examines what mechanisms the Roman elite employed to renegotiate their position of influence within the state. The relationship the elite had with the past provides evidence for wider changes in society. I assert that, using the language and landscape of the past, the elite formed discourses which responded to, and which attempted to facilitate a realignment in, a changing environment. The education system still provided the Roman elite with a mechanism through which they could define themselves and prepare for what they considered to be the important aspects of the world outside the classroom. Religious discussions and debate in the post-imperial Italy of Late Antiquity were increasingly directed toward attempts to reunite the fractured Roman Empire through a unified empire of Orthodox faith. Having such a close relationship with the Roman Empire and its political and philosophical culture, education and religion are particularly suitable fields to reflect the changes to the political map of the Roman Empire. Focusing on the eliteâs relationship with education and religion, this thesis
roman elite power past continuity_change italy examines_change force upon roman elite evolve political climate italy examine mechanism roman elite employ renegotiate position influence within state relationship elite past provide_evidence wider change society assert use language landscape past elite form discourse respond attempted facilitate change environment education_system still provide roman elite mechanism could define prepare consider_important aspect world outside_classroom religious discussion debate post imperial italy late_antiquity increasingly direct toward attempt fractured roman_empire unify empire orthodox faith close_relationship roman_empire political philosophical culture education religion particularly suitable field reflect_change political map roman_empire focusing elite relationship education religion