Experiencing the Frontier and the Frontier of Experience: Barbarian perspectives and Roman strategies to deal with new threats

This book considers the Roman Empire’s responses to the threats which were caused by the new geostrategic situation brought on by the crisis of the 3rd century AD, induced by the ‘barbarians’ who – often already part of Roman military structures as mercenaries and auxiliaries – became a veritable menace for the Empire.

‘The volume is packed with interesting material presented in a way which leaves it open to many interesting analyses. It is, therefore, to be recommended to anyone studying the Roman frontiers and the ‘barbarian lands’ beyond them.’ – Alexander Sarantis (2024): GNOMON 96. Volume 8.

‘In conclusion, relations on most borders of the Roman empire are treated although rather dissimilarly. Much attention is paid to the situation on the Danube while less goes to the Rhine limes. The most interesting are the three contributions regarding the Roman material outside the limes in northern Europe, especially in Scandinavia from where less information regarding this subject is known. In all, this volume is a welcome contribution to the study of the military and economic situation along different parts of the limes of the Roman empire.’ – Jan G. de Boer (2024): Ancient West and East Volume 23

Experiencing the Frontier and the Frontier of Experience deals with the Roman Empire’s responses to the threats which were caused by the new geostrategic situation brought on by the crisis of the 3rd century AD, induced by the ‘barbarians’ who – often already part of Roman military structures as mercenaries and auxiliaries – became a veritable menace for the Empire. Rome adopted different strategies: they oscillated between inclusion, warfare and other means of exerting influence. The contributions to this volume explore the archaeological evidence for Roman practice and especially the varying strategies of power and influence in the central regions on the one hand, and the south-eastern parts of the European ‘Barbaricum’ on the other. They show how ‘Divide et impera’ functioned as practical policy based on alliances, as well as consequent warfare, and diplomatic initiatives, which are traceable by prestige-goods and subsidia treasures found in the Barbaricum. The comparison of Roman imports in different parts of Iron-Age Europe can help understand better a complex process of shifting power and influence in an emerging new Europe, which transformed the Empire towards medieval ‘Herrschaft’ and social structure.

• | Author: Alexander Rubel, Hans-Ulrich Voß
• | Publisher: Archaeopress
• | Publication Date: Dec 17, 2020
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Paperback / softback
• | ISBN-13: 9781789696813
• | ISBN-10: 178969681X