Empire of coercion : Rome, its ruler and his soldiers
This thesis explores the basis of the political power wielded by Roman emperors. Its hypothesis is that their power was of an essentially coercive nature, and was a manifestation of the Roman ethos of competition for personal dominance. This competition took place within the context of a society in which war and military organisation were of prime significance. As a result, political power was habitually obtained and held through the direct and indirect involvement of soldiers. It was inevitable that the relationship between emperors and their soldiers should be the major determinant of their authority. Issues considered to be relevant to this view are examined from a wide perspective and within the broad time scale of the classical world before the advent of the Christian Empire. Ancient writing on the nature of political power is explored, and every effort is made to give due weight to the direct expressions of our primary sources in their discussions of personal authority. Evidence is also cited from sociological and other modem theories of political power in order to illuminate the coercive basis of the Roman state. The development of power within Rome is traced, together with the explanations, justifications
Foulkes, Martin Edward
Empire of coercion : Rome, its ruler and his soldiers. This thesis explores the basis of the political power wielded by Roman emperors. Its hypothesis is that their power was of an essentially coercive nature, and was a manifestation of the Roman ethos of competition for personal dominance. This competition took place within the context of a society in which war and military organisation were of prime significance. As a result, political power was habitually obtained and held through the direct and indirect involvement of soldiers. It was inevitable that the relationship between emperors and their soldiers should be the major determinant of their authority. Issues considered to be relevant to this view are examined from a wide perspective and within the broad time scale of the classical world before the advent of the Christian Empire. Ancient writing on the nature of political power is explored, and every effort is made to give due weight to the direct expressions of our primary sources in their discussions of personal authority. Evidence is also cited from sociological and other modem theories of political power in order to illuminate the coercive basis of the Roman state. The development of power within Rome is traced, together with the explanations, justifications
empire coercion rome ruler soldier explores basis political_power wield roman_emperor hypothesis power essentially coercive nature manifestation roman ethos competition personal dominance competition take_place within_context society war military_organisation prime significance political_power habitually obtain hold direct_indirect involvement soldier inevitable relationship emperor soldier major determinant authority issues consider_relevant view examine wide perspective within_broad time scale classical_world advent christian empire ancient write nature political_power explore every effort_make give due weight direct expression primary_source discussion personal authority evidence also cite sociological modem theory political_power order illuminate coercive basis roman state development power within rome trace together explanation justification