The Art of Forgetting: Disgrace and Oblivion in Roman Political Culture (Studies in the History of Greece and Rome) [Hardcover]

Harriet I. Flower (Author)

Book Description

Series: Studies in the History of Greece and Rome | Publication Date: November 22, 2006

Elite Romans periodically chose to limit or destroy the memory of a leading citizen who was deemed an unworthy member of the community. Sanctions against memory could lead to the removal or mutilation of portraits and public inscriptions. Harriet Flower provides the first chronological overview of the development of this Roman practice—an instruction to forget—from archaic times into the second century A.D.

Early memory sanctions were employed by political families in an effort to preserve their social standing or limit the embarrassment caused by a disgraced relative. Bans in the Late Republic, however, turned into punitive measures used against political rivals. By the imperial period, emperors imposed postmortem disgrace in attempts to control elite dissent or its image, but they could also become subject to such posthumous sanctions themselves. Flower explores Roman memory sanctions against the background of Greek and Hellenistic cultural influence and in the context of the wider Mediterranean world. Combining literary and legal texts, art and archaeology, this richly illustrated study contributes to a deeper understanding of Roman political culture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An important contribution to the study of commemoration in the classical world. . . . Thorough and well-argued. . . . Lucidly written and enriched by numerous illustrations, this book provides not only a rich source of information about Greek and Roman memory sanctions, but also offers a profound analysis on their development and implications for Roman republican and early imperial politics."
-Tyche

"A very valuable book on a fascinating and important subject."
-Journal of Roman Studies

"A much-needed articulation . . . of Roman commemoration practices. . . . An engaging survey of Roman history [for] the nonspecialist. . . . Well illustrated."
-The Historian

"Closely argued and aptly illustrated. . . . Recommended."
-CHOICE

From the Inside Flap

Elite Romans periodically chose to limit or destroy the memory of a leading citizen who was deemed an unworthy member of the community. Sanctions against memory could lead to the removal or mutilation of portraits and public inscriptions. Harriet Flower provides the first chronological overview of the development of this Roman practice—an instruction to forget—from archaic times into the second century A.D. Flower explores Roman memory sanctions against the background of Greek and Hellenistic cultural influence and in the context of the wider Mediterranean world. Combining literary and legal texts, art and archaeology, this richly illustrated study contributes to a deeper understanding of Roman political culture.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 424 pages
• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press (November 22, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807830631
• ISBN-13: 978-0807830635
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,559,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.