Social Struggles in Archaic Rome

This widely respected study of social conflicts between the patrician elite and the plebeians in the first centuries of the Roman republic has now been enhanced by a new chapter on material culture, updates to individual chapters, an updated bibliography, and a new introduction.

• Analyzes social conflicts between patricians and plebeians in early republican Rome
• Includes chapters by leading scholars from both sides of the Atlantic illuminating social, economic, legal, religious, military, and political aspects as well as the reliability of historical sources
• Contributors have written addenda for the new edition, updating their chapters in light of recent scholarship

“A path-breaking collection of articles and a model of collaborative enterprise when it first appeared, Social Struggles has long been essential reading for students and scholars alike of the Republic's early history. Its re-publication in an expanded second edition is to be warmly welcomed. Quite simply, it is the best introduction available in any language to the complexities of this poorly understood but crucial period in Rome's rise to world power." Nathan Rosenstein, The Ohio State UniversityRaaflaub's collection of essays has since its appearance been a standard work of reference and guide to the complexities of early Rome. The alternative views expressed on key issues make this a rich and rewarding account. Now updated, Social Struggles in Ancient Rome will once again define the future course of research in the field." Christopher J Smith, University of St Andrews”

"A path-breaking collection of articles and a model of collaborative enterprise when it first appeared, Social Struggles has long been essential reading for students and scholars alike of the Republic’s early history. Its re-publication in an expanded second edition is to be warmly welcomed. Quite simply, it is the best introduction available in any language to the complexities of this poorly understood but crucial period in Rome’s rise to world power." Nathan Rosenstein, The Ohio State University

"Raaflaub's collection of essays has since its appearance been a standard work of reference and guide to the complexities of early Rome. The alternative views expressed on key issues make this a rich and rewarding account. Now updated, Social Struggles in Ancient Rome will once again define the future course of research in the field." Christopher J Smith, University of St Andrews

“Raaflaub’s revised publication should continue to stimulate debate regarding Rome’s social, political and religious organization in the first centuries of the Republic.”
Scholia Reviews

Kurt A. Raaflaub is David Herlihy University Professor and Professor of Classics and History at Brown University. His recent publications include Origins of Democracy in Ancient Greece (co-authored, 2006), The Discovery of Freedom in Ancient Greece (2004), War and Society in the Ancient and Medieval Worlds (co-edited, 1999), and Democracy, Empire, and the Arts in Fifth-Century Athens (co-edited, 1998).

The history of early republican Rome was marked by a long series of social and political struggles between the patrician elite and the plebeians (often called the “Conflict of the Orders”). In this new edition of Social Struggles in Archaic Rome, experts from both sides of the Atlantic illuminate the history of these social conflicts—examining their causes and nature; analyzing a wide range of social, economic, legal, religious, military, and political aspects; and considering the reliability of the historical sources. This edition is enhanced by addenda updating individual chapters in light of recent scholarship, a new chapter on aspects of material culture, an updated bibliography, and a new introduction.

The history of early republican Rome was marked by a long series of social and political struggles between the patrician elite and the plebeians (often called the Conflict of the Orders ). In this new edition of Social Struggles in Archaic Rome, experts from both sides of the Atlantic illuminate the history of these social conflicts examining their causes and nature; analyzing a wide range of social, economic, legal, religious, military, and political aspects; and considering the reliability of the historical sources. This edition is enhanced by addenda updating individual chapters in light of recent scholarship, a new chapter on aspects of material culture, an updated bibliography, and a new introduction.

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