Introduction

The introduction situates the book within the broader discourse of work on the Roman conquest of Italy. It begins by discussing the theoretical underpinnings and methodological considerations of the work. After a historiographical discussion of “Romanization studies,” it mentions three models that will be drawn on in the work (those of Mattingly, Barrett, and Terrenato). It then discusses the importance of the spread of Hellenistic culture throughout Italy for studies of the Roman conquest. Next, it examines recent regional studies of the Roman conquest of Italy, particularly in central and southern Italy. It brings up three key questions that will be addressed in the work: How did Larinum’s participation in the broader Hellenistic koiné contribute to its integration into the Roman state? What forms of Roman influence spread to Larinum during the period in question and how did they arrive there? And, in what ways do the changes in Larinum’s material record reflect broader cultural developments both at the site and within its territory? It makes the case for Larinum’s being a prime candidate for this type of study by laying out the available evidence for the creation of a site biography before ending with an overview of the main argument of the book.