Beyond the River, Under the Eye of Rome

Roman perceptions of Danubian peoples, particularly the Sarmatians, were distorted by ethnic and ecological stereotypes that undermined imperial frontier management, leading to mismanagement of border wars and migrant crises from the 1st to 5th centuries CE. These misconceptions, reinforced by Rome's military and economic power, shaped social structures and group identities in the region, with lasting consequences for later interactions with Goths and Huns. The study draws on textual, inscriptional, and archaeological evidence to reveal how these stereotypes influenced critical political and military events, including Trajan’s Dacian campaign and the Marcomannic Wars.

Hart, T. (2024). Beyond the River, Under the Eye of Rome. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.11453670