Republicanism during the Early Roman Empire

Exploring the political ideology of Republicanism under the Roman emperors of the first century AD, Sam Wilkinson puts forward the hypothesis that there was indeed opposition to the political structure and ideology of the rulers on the grounds of Republicanism. While some Romans wanted a return to the Republic, others wanted the emperor to ensure his reign was as close to Republican moral and political ideology as possible. Analysing the discourse of the period, the book charts how the view of law, morality and behaviour changed under the various Imperial regimes of the first century AD.

Uniquely, this book explores how emperors could choose to set their regime in a more Republican or more Imperial manner, thus demonstrating it was possible for both the opposition and an emperor to be Republican. The book concludes by providing evidence of Republicanism in the first century AD which not only created opposition to the emperors, but also became part of the political debate in this period.

Autorentext

Sam Wilkinson currently teaches History at Foley's School in Cyprus, and is the author of Caligula (Routledge, 2005)

Inhalt

Preface
Introduction
Part I: The Evidence for Republicanism

1. Opposition I: Overthrowing the Principate
2. Opposition II: A Moral Opposition
   Part II: The Discourse
3. Law
4. Morality
5. Behaviour
   Conclusion
   Notes
   Bibliography
   Index