08/03/2025
TRAC (Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference) is pleased to announce its upcoming Zoom Webinar:
‘From Bandits to Freedom Fighters: Rethinking Provincial ‘Rebels’ of the C1st AD in non-Roman terms'
Jo Ball, University of Liverpool:
Time: Tuesday 11th March 2025, 17:00 GMT
Registration link: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/theoretical-roman-archaeology-conference/t-rpopeng
Abstract:
For centuries, Rome exerted political and military control over large parts of Europe, the near east, and the northern coast of Africa. During this time, it faced multiple challenges to its rule, from low-level banditry and guerrilla-esque activity, to large-scale conflict aiming to drive Rome out of particular areas – or even to usurp the Imperial power. Roman historical sources contain varied and sometimes contradictory attitudes to these instances of indigenous-instigated warfare, recognising some as justified attempts to reestablish provincial ‘liberty’, while dismissing others as little more than thug-like campaigns banditry. Similarly, the leaders of indigenous armies were variously presented as anything from noble warriors (almost) equal to their Roman enemy, to common criminals with no redeeming features. These differences in attitude were influenced by numerous factors, from the time of the conflict, the successes of the enemy against Rome, and even the ethnic and biographical background of the individuals involved.
Many of these provincial challenges to Roman authority, and the leaders who commanded during them, have drawn much scholarship over the last two centuries (albeit some more than others) – but their actions have been almost universally shaped in the context of being ‘anti-Roman’, marginalising their agency in action. In the C19th, the leaders of the disobediences could be lionised in their modern territorial equivalents as freedom fighters and nation-builders, but proved more problematic in the discourse of Imperial powers such as Britain and France. In the C20th, post-colonial reassessment has helped to promote a more even-handed treatment of these figures, but the concept of ‘anti-Roman’ still looms central. This paper explores the academic discourse around ‘rebels’ in the Roman period, focusing on the C1st AD, and proposes a new framework for considering both their actions and the Roman historiography.
Tickets are now available for TRAC Webinar: Jo Ball - From Bandits to Freedom Fighters: Rethinking Provincial ‘Rebels’ at Online, Online on Tue 11 Mar 2025 at 5:00PM. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now!
