Situating Larinum

This chapter presents the site of Larinum to the reader. It provides an initial discussion of the geography and topography of the site as well as a brief introduction to its occupation history. It then turns to the historical and literary material pertaining to Larinum (excluding Cicero’s Pro Cluentio, which is discussed in its own chapter) in order to address three key elements of the history of the site: the changing relationship between Larinum and Rome; the main elite families of Larinum; and Roman views of Larinum. This material includes works by authors such as Polybius, Cicero (in his letters to Atticus), Julius Caesar, Livy, Silius Italicus, Pliny the Elder, Ptolemy, Pomponius Mela, Appian, and Stephanus Byzantinus. Although the historical contexts and situations of the authors lead to certain biases in the narratives and focuses that at times can distract from the actual historical situation, a discussion of this material is an integral part of the site biography of Larinum.

Conclusion

This chapter emphasizes the elements of continuity that have emerged from the consideration of multiple types of evidence. It answers the three questions posed in the introduction, and refers back to the three theoretical models adopted in the analysis. It discusses the ways that the results of this site biography differ from previously published studies while at the same time providing a synthesis of Larinum’s history from 400 bce to 100 ce. It then examines the ways in which Larinum is representative or anomalous when compared to other Italian towns. It also compares this local-level case study of Larinum to the conclusions of other local-level studies, especially ones that focus on the site of Taranto. It concludes by making the case for the creation of more local-level site biographies, using the study of Larinum as a model. It pushes the field of Roman conquest studies toward a new paradigm of social change that is contingent on highly specific, local issues, rather than global movements.

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.

The Inscriptions

This chapter focuses on the epigraphic evidence from Larinum and its territory as well as examples found in the wider Mediterranean. It begins with a prosopographical discussion of the eight principal families of the town, noting the survival and prominence of local families in the late Republic and early Empire, as well as newly prominent local families under the Roman Empire. The families discussed are the Cluentii, the Didii, the Paquii, the Papii, the Vibii/Vibbii, the Raii, the Coelii, and the Gabbii. These families, along with other residents bearing family names of Oscan origin, appear to have been the chief protagonists of Larinum’s transition into the Roman state. The continuity of the elite as an institution at the site, even if power changes hands between different families, allows for Larinum’s successful incorporation after the conquest. The importance of the epigraphic record for understanding of the social and administrative history is also discussed. The inscriptions provide evidence of linguistic developments in Oscan and early Latin. The patronage inscriptions show Larinum’s desire to forge links with key individuals within the Roman state. The epigraphy also provides information about territorial administration and tribal affiliation, demographics, and intermarriage. This information reinforces the conclusions drawn from looking at Cicero’s Pro Cluentio. The strong evidence of continuity seen in the inscriptions matches the stability seen in the settlement patterns in the territory and supports the conclusion that Larinum’s transition into the Roman state at the hands of the local elites was generally a smooth one.

Larinum in Cicero’s Pro Cluentio

This chapter analyzes the social history that can be gleaned from a close reading of Cicero’s Pro Cluentio. After presenting the case against Cluentius, it discusses the chief elements of the social history of Larinum that appear in the oration. These include intermarriage between the domi nobiles of the town, links between Larinum and other Italian communities, links with Rome, travel and road networks, the effects of the Social War, and the patronage and wealth of the domi nobiles. Although Cicero’s speech is a work of rhetoric, the historical details that he includes can be considered largely accurate. This information cannot be obtained from any other source. The Pro Cluentio provides information about the leading families of the town that complements the prosopographical information found in the epigraphic record. When combined with the other evidence discussed in the rest of the book, it shows the ways that the citizens of Larinum were interacting with Rome and the effects of the town’s transition into the Roman state that could be seen in the middle of the first century bce.

The Monuments and Artifacts

This chapter discusses the transformations that occur within the urban center of Larinum during the period of study. After a discussion of the early occupation of the site, it investigates the town’s architecture. Emphasis is on public architecture (the fortification wall, town planning, the presumed forum area, and the amphitheater), sacred architecture (the via Jovine sanctuary, the remains of a portico, and an early Imperial temple), domestic architecture (the atrium house), and a series of funerary monuments. The evidence shows that the commissioners of these works were engaged with trends that were popular throughout the Mediterranean, demonstrating their connection to the broader Hellenistic koiné. This chapter also discusses coins minted at Larinum in the third century bce and ceramics found at the site (both locally produced and imported wares). While the inscriptions show some attention to Rome, the artifacts show that the citizens’ attention was not predominantly focused on interactions with the capital. They provide evidence of Larinum’s links to sites throughout the Mediterranean. Many of the monuments and artifacts are made for a local audience and local trade networks, and serve to maintain the status of the elite families within local power networks. Items that had been identified in the past as markers of a Roman presence in the town, when considered in light of the continuity seen in the settlement patterns and the epigraphy, can now be seen to be commissioned by local people engaged in a Mediterranean-wide cultural and artistic discourse.

Larinum and Its Hinterland

This chapter investigates settlement pattern research in the territory of Larinum. After a brief discussion of the history of research, it summarizes the settlement pattern narrative of the Biferno Valley Survey and the importance of this narrative in the history of studies in this area. It also discusses the Forma Italiae survey conducted here. Next, it presents a new study of the territory surrounding Larinum that consists of a revisiting of the villa sites and a reclassification of the farmsteads. It discusses the methodology and definitions used, as well as the results and directions for future research. It also addresses evidence in the landscape for travel, trade and road networks, including some of the routes mentioned in the literary sources and the ancient itineraries. It presents a revised narrative of the settlement patterns for the territory of Larinum that stresses continuity in the landscape throughout the period of Roman conquest. It ends by bringing in a discussion of the results of other regional studies conducted in central and southern Italy that are relevant to the conclusions reached here.