Criticism of luxury and corruption in the late Roman Republic and late antiquity
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| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Description | This paper presents selected conclusions from a master's thesis examining literary and legal representations of luxury, corruption, and other wealth-related vices in two major transitional periods of Roman history: the Late Republic and Late Antiquity. Ancient authors such as Sallust, Cicero, Appian, and Ammianus Marcellinus interpreted these phenomena not only as signs of personal moral failure or social excess, but also as factors contributing to broader political and cultural change. The analysis highlights both continuities and transformations in how these issues were portrayed, shaped by evolving ideological and religious frameworks, particularly the shift from pagan to Christian thought. Emphasis is placed on rhetorical strategies and the role of moral judgement in constructing historical meaning. Rather than aiming at completeness, the paper offers a comparative case-based perspective on how Roman intellectuals engaged with the challenges of their time. The conclusions provide a basis for further research into the function of ethical discourse in Roman historiography and its relevance to changing concepts of political order in Late Antiquity. |
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