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15 - Romanes eunt Domus?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 September 2013

Don Henson
Affiliation:
University College London
Nigel Mills
Affiliation:
Director, World Heritage and Access, The Hadrian's Wall Trust
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Summary

Borders and boundaries are a natural part of every society. We place ourselves behind walls to separate ourselves from others as part of the creation of our identity. These borders can be physical or metaphorical. The most extreme form of border is one where the person looking out from behind the wall assumes a position of superiority over those on the outside. But not all borders have to take this form. Borders which are not physically manifest or only virtual may have a more neutral flavour. Physical proximity is often seen as a threat whereas detached observation at a distance neutralises any threat. Those on the outside then appear as merely exotic rather than as a potential enemy.

Borders were extremely important for the Roman Empire. The later Empire especially was defined by its sense of difference, and superiority, from those on the outside of its borders. In the modern world, our engagement with ancient Rome is as outsiders, beyond the borders now of time. The engagement we have with Rome is complex, since Rome finds its place not only in academic culture but also in the popular arts.

Type
Chapter
Information
Presenting the Romans
Interpreting the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site
, pp. 139 - 146
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer
Print publication year: 2013

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  • Romanes eunt Domus?
  • Edited by Nigel Mills, Director, World Heritage and Access, The Hadrian's Wall Trust
  • Book: Presenting the Romans
  • Online publication: 05 September 2013
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  • Romanes eunt Domus?
  • Edited by Nigel Mills, Director, World Heritage and Access, The Hadrian's Wall Trust
  • Book: Presenting the Romans
  • Online publication: 05 September 2013
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Romanes eunt Domus?
  • Edited by Nigel Mills, Director, World Heritage and Access, The Hadrian's Wall Trust
  • Book: Presenting the Romans
  • Online publication: 05 September 2013
Available formats
×