The Limits of Empire: The Roman Army in the East(Clarendon Paperbacks)

For more than seven centuries most of the Near East was part of the Roman empire. Yet no work exists which explores the means by which an ancient power originating in the western Mediterranean could control such a vast and distant region. What was the impact of the army presence on the population of the provinces? How did Rome respond to the challenge posed by the desert and its nomadic population? Professor Isaac here offers answers to these questions in the first comprehensive treatment of the Roman military presence in the Near East. Using both well-known and neglected sources, he reassesses the means by which Rome achieved and maintained her control over the region. He discusses the extent to which current vacillating views on imperialism can affect opinions concerning the character and mechanisms by which Rome ensured the integrity and expansion of her influence. Also considered here are problems of methodology, especially the use of archaeological remains for historical interpretation. Professor Isaac casts new light on an important issue which has far-reaching implications for the understanding of ancient and modern imperialism.

Table of Contents:
Abbreviations 1: Introduction 2: Rome and Persia 3: Consolidation and internal unrest 4: The army of the principate: An army of occupation 5: The army of the fourth century 6: Enemies and allies after Septimus Severus 7: Army and civilians in the East 8: The military function of Roman veteran colonies 9: Urbanization 10: Frontier policy - Grand strategy? Epilogue Appendices Bibliography Maps Index

Review :
`Now Professor Isaac has examined various aspects of the Eastern Empire in a work that should become standard. ... Professor Issac's book is to be recommended as an exercise in the treatment of evidence.' R.M.J. Isserlin, Institute of Archaeology Bulletin, Number twenty-seven, 1990 `remarkable book, of which several reviews would be needed to do justice to all his discussions ... Throughout it is enlivened and illuminated by the comparative evidence of contemporary events and experience and of recent history. In the introduction he states: 'I have the dubious advantage of living in a country that has to defend its borders and has also been an occupying power for twenty years', we can only benefit from the distinct insights this has afforded.' J.G. Csrow, Britannia vol. XXIII, 1992 `This book is a valiant first attempt at a general study covering the whole of the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire, a subject that has until now received relatively scant attention. Issac has produced a readable and stimulating synthesis; many of his observations and conclusions are sound and incisive. ... well-argued and valuable contributions to our under-standing of the subject.' C.S. Lightfoot, The International History Review `magnificent ... Students ignore it at their peril.' Times Literary Supplement `a major revisionist study ... will force all students ... to rethink long-held assumptions' Journal of Roman Archaeology 'This book is a valiant first attempt at a general study covering the whole of the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire, a subject that has until now received relatively scant attention. Isaac has produced a readable and stimulating synthesis ... well-argued and valuable contributions to our understanding of the subject.' C.S. Lightfoot, British Institute of Archaeology at Ankara, The International History Review 'remarkable book, of which several reviews would be needed to do justice to all his discussions ... Throughout it is enlivened and illuminated by the comparative evidence of contemporary events and experience and of recent history. In the introduction he states: 'I have the dubious advantage of living in a country that has to defend its borders and has also been an occupying power for twenty years', we can only benefit from the distinct insights this has afforded.' J.G. Crow, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Britannia Vol. XXIII, 1992 'Now Professor Isaac has examined various aspects of the Eastern Empire in a work that should become standard. Professor Isaac's book is to be recommended as an exercise in the treatment of evidence.' R.M.J. Isserlin, Institute of Archaeology Bulletin, Number twenty-seven, 1990 'So swift a revision is fully justified.' P. Walcot, Greece and Rome, October 1993 'within two years of its first appearance in 1990 the publishers were prepared to issue a second edition ... This is surely a sign of the excellence of the book and its appeal not only to Classical scholars with an interest in Roman warfare but also to a wider public. The unique background of the author ensures the wide scope and the new, refreshing points of view of the book. His arguments are on the whole detailed and convincing. This is a book which should grace the collection of every serious Roman scholar and should not be missing from the libraries of high schools and universities where Classics are taught.' Lena Cansdale, University of Sydney, Ancient History, Vol. XXIII, No. 1, 1993 'this large work fills a gap in the knowledge of the Roman Army in the east...this book wil find use as a reference work pertaining to specific places that one might study, such as Judaea or Antioch. It will find good use in Judaism, New Testament, and Early Christian studies.' John Helgeland, Religious Studies Review, Vol 20, No 1, January 1994 `the book now occupies a fundamental place in the bibliography of the Eastern Empire, and its military history, as reflected in the rapid appearance of a second impression with marginal changes. the bibliography is very extensive and the thirteen plans supported by five maps point to the archaeological base underlying parts of the work. If thefigures derive primarily from work in Israel one can only hope that future years will see equivalent progress in neighbouring countries.' Journal of Roman Studies