Plebs and Princeps

This work deals with the mutual relationship between the principes, from Augustus to Nero, and the city plebs. In a pioneering work which seeks to move far beyond simple class and ethnic description, Professor Yavetz asks the tough question: why did key Roman emperors make so many efforts to endear themselves to the urban populace?
The situation was not entirely unlike what one observes in present day advanced societies. Although a ruling elite held a monopoly of force and power in military

Read more ...