Ancient Roman Banditry: A Modern Criminological Analysis

Abstract

This thesis analyzes three groups of ancient Roman latrones (bandits)—rural robbers, guerilla leaders, and political rivals—through the lens of modern criminological theory. In each case, I find that modern criminological theory advances our understanding of the origins of latrocinium (banditry). In addition, a modern criminological approach illuminates the ways in which latrocinium was received and mobilized by Roman writers for political purposes. Lastly, increased attention to authorial intent illustrates that historical bandits possessed no unified or objective identities; therefore, each account of latrocinium must be understood within the genre of its wider text.