Obviously a very modern book but I did start reading Anthony Kaldellis’ The New Roman Empire and I have so far found his thoughts on the Dominate very interesting (I have not yet reached the start of the Byzantine era yet). He seems very devoted to the theory that while the Roman state was an autocratic one, it was still a very populist one with Emperors very aware of the power of the public, even after the end of most of the Republican features of Rome had disappeared.
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Yes, Kaldellis has been articulating this particular pov for a long time. He presented his thesis most fully in his book called The Byzantine Republic. It’s not fully accepted but it’s a very interesting argument.
I’m not in a position to fully judge his position on the Byzantines. I can say that I’ve read up to Justinian in The New Roman Empire and his statements of late antique scholarship are rather… dated. But this isn’t surprising. I listen to his podcast where he invites scholars to come speak about their specialities, and he’s had recent episodes where he’s been surprised/learned things people had to say (specifically on the importance of Rome and the vitality of the Senate in late antiquity, and the role of the consulship up thru Justinian). You’d be unsurprised by my focus on those areas.
But Kaldellis conducted those interviews when his book was already done so it’s not like he could correct it. Late antiquity wasn’t his focus anyway but it’s the part I found most inaccurate. I’d be interested in finishing the rest of the book to see his takes on the periods where the bulk of his academic focus exists.
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Oh interesting! I have found the section on late antiquity fascinating but good to know that it is outdated in a lot of ways. Do you have any recommendations on books with more recent scholarship or would the easiest way be to find those podcast episodes?
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The books are: “The Falls of Rome: Crises, Resilience, and Resurgence in Late Antiquity” by Michele Salzman and “The Politics of Roman Memory: From the Fall of the Western Empire to the Age of Justinian” by Marion Kruse.
You can also just start with the episodes where Kaldellis interviews them – it’s a good, quick intro to the subjects.
Other good recent books on late antiquity include: “The Final Pagan Generation” by Edward J. Watts and “Through the Eye of a Needle” by the legendary Peter Brown, the dean of late antique studies. I’m also a big fan of “Staying Roman” by Jonathan Connant – this is less late antiquity writ large, but a more specific focus on Roman identity in Africa after the fall of the empire.
There’s so much more though – journal articles constantly being written, new books being published all the time, etc. These are just four that I’ve read and really enjoyed.
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Thank you! I’ll be sure to check a couple of these out, although I do have so many books to read already!
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This is the one problem I will never mind having. Most of us would agree, I’m certain.
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Provincial background pick sounds so awesome. Your background and stuff coming up is always the best.
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Well, it looks like Dashingdon is coming down, unfortunately. In anticipation of this, I’ve set up a new demo on COG Demos, which will be updated from here out. I’m keeping up the old version until the site shuts down as I know people have saved games.
Please let me know if there are any issues with the new site and updated demo.
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Wait, Dashingdon is ceasing operations? I haven’t heard anything about this. Is it on their website or the forums somewhere?
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The site as a whole stopped being maintained months ago, it was announced back when that happened, it was only a matter of time until the whole thing would be finally shut down.
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I haven’t tried a full allying with the senate route yet, mostly because I couldn’t stand the senators, and the fact their demands are fundamentally at the expense of imperial power which the MC directly rely on for power. Thus I don’t yet have insight on the situation of the barbarian auxiliary revolt.
Analyzing the case of the senate conspiracy, it is clear we are in a similar situation to Actium. The pretender has seemingly secured Greece and Egypt, along with the Navy. Iblin’s fifth column will try to work with the populist mob to undermine our rule of the capital, likely hoping for the impending blockade and subsequent famine to further radicalize the mob to their side.
For our victory Iblin’s head must hang upon the gate by whatever means necessary upon the opening salvo. I assume our potential long partnership with Cato will pay off tremendously in this regard, provided we can finally divorce the senate with the populists. Concerning the senate, I am certain though bribery, diplomacy or blackmail, we can paralyze democracy, thus either forcing a schism within the rebels, or proving imperial rule to be the way forward for functional civilization.
We have secured Gaul and the northern frontier through Julia’s veterans and the auxiliaries, and with enough legion favor, we should be able to secure the allegiance of the eastern legions to flank the pretender in Egypt (it is in their own interest to secure the bread basket for themselves) while we march for Greece to defeat the pretender in open battle. Finish the battle quick (with single dual if possible) and we should still be in relative good shape to face the horde.
Wondering if a good enough spymaster can slip our own assassin behind the back of Leta and Victoria.
Anyway, am I missing anything of note in regard to this game plan?
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