Images and Interpretation of “the Other” in Roman Social Practice

Abstract

This chapter examines the representation and interpretation of “the Other” in Roman social practices. Employing a selection of images, representing ethnically and physically diverse citizens and noncitizens, Romans and non-Romans, surviving on a range of media from both public and private display contexts across the empire, new questions are raised to expand our understanding of diversity and difference in the Roman world. In Roman art, images of “Others” served an important role in the construction of Roman identity, underlining tensions in the representation and categorization of bodies and belonging. Emphasis is placed on viewers and viewing contexts, considering the cosmopolitan milieu of the cities and peoples under Roman rule.