Community and Society in Roman Italy

This work sets forth a challenging new model for understanding the communities of Roman Italy, their internal dynamics, and their relationships with their surrounding rural territories. Extensive notes, a substantial and up-to-date bibliography, and an adequate index complete this pivotal work. Essential for the study of ancient social conditions or private life. -- J. G. Schovanek, American Library Association

He examines the "typicalRoman community during the High Empire and explores the life cycle of rural inhabitants, showing how individuals- the aristocrats, the free poor, and the slaves- developed in relation to society as a whole.Stephen L. Dyson examines rural communities as functioning, largely autonomous societies. Dyson traces the major outlines of community development from the end of the war with Hannibal to the early Middle Ages. He shows how local communities responded to changes in the greater Roman society while still retaining their distinctive identity. He examines the "typical" Roman community during the High Empire and explores the life cycle of rural inhabitants, showing how individuals- the aristocrats, the free poor, and the slaves- developed in relation to society as a whole.