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Przedstawiając wroga – etnograficzny i stereotypowy kontekst rzymskich traktatów wojskowych

Publication date: 2024

History Notebooks, 2024, Issue 151 (2), pp. 237-251

https://doi.org/10.4467/20844069PH.24.017.20433

Authors

Łukasz Różycki
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
ul. Wieniawskiego 1 61-712 Poznań, Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1536-3387 Orcid
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Przedstawiając wroga – etnograficzny i stereotypowy kontekst rzymskich traktatów wojskowych

Abstract

The stereotypical image of Barbaricum was very deeply rooted in the mentality of Roman intellectuals. In their recommendations, authors of military treatises sometimes referred to the stereotypical ethnographic image of the Romes opponents. Despite their application of literary topoi, the information given by the authors was largely followed by Roman commanders. At times, military treatises offer basic stereotypes, probably deeply rooted in the collective awareness of Roman intellectuals and military men alike. Notably, these stereotypes could have an impact on the practical aspects of military life. The approach towards foreign ethnic groups in Roman military treatises was twofold: in the case of regular soldiers, aversion to foreigners had to be stimulated by looking for antagonisms, whether religious or cultural. However, it was done in broad strokes, without indicating any individual national features or referring to topoi from classical literature. The situation was quite different in the sections aimed at military commanders. The strategoi needed the most accurate picture of the enemy, their habits, strengths and weaknesses, ways of fighting and even political organization. This knowledge could be used in the course of fighting, in order to gain an advantage over the opponent. Despite the obvious usefulness of these recommendations for commanders, they were not free from ancient topoi, easy to differentiate from practical guidelines. A soldier had to learn to hate his enemy; a Roman commander had to learn about the enemy, get to know them as well as reasonably possible, so as to achieve victory that much easier. This is an indication that despite clearly identifiable transcultural wars waged by the Empire, the military treatises do not place much emphasis on ethnic aspects.

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Information

Information: History Notebooks, 2024, Issue 151 (2), pp. 237-251

Article type: Original article

Titles:

Polish: Przedstawiając wroga – etnograficzny i stereotypowy kontekst rzymskich traktatów wojskowych
English:
Presenting the enemy – ethnographic and stereotypical context of Roman military treaties

Authors

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1536-3387

Łukasz Różycki
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
ul. Wieniawskiego 1 61-712 Poznań, Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1536-3387 Orcid
Contact with author
All publications →

Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
ul. Wieniawskiego 1 61-712 Poznań, Poland

Published at: 2024

Article status: Open

Licence: CC BY  licence icon

Percentage share of authors:

Łukasz Różycki (Author) - 100%

Information about author:

Dr hab. Łukasz Różycki, prof. UAM – pracownik Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza, zatrudniony w Pracowni Historii Bizancjum. Zainteresowania badawcze: historia późnego antyku, wojskowość rzymska i bizantyńska, teorie wojny, nowa historia wojskowości.

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