Extermination in Late Roman Imperial Ideology in the Latin West

Abstract

An early fifth century triumphal inscription from Rome to the emperors Arcadius, Honorius and Theodosius II celebrates the apparent extinguishment of the nation of the Getae ('ILS' 798). In the same era, however, Claudian praises Rome as formidable in war, but gentle to foreign nations once they are subdued ('De Bello Gildonico' 97-8), echoing the famous precept Vergil had ascribed to Anchises centuries before ('Aeneid' 6.853). This paper will explore the tension between the celebration of clementia towards conquered peoples and the praise of extermination in late Roman imperial ideology, particularly as represented in Latin panegyric from the late third to early fifth centuries. It will be argued that, while neat distinctions are not possible, certain trends appear. Firstly, it is notable that even in a genre as prone to hyperbole as panegyric, the extermination of peoples is not a particularly frequent trope of praise. In some instances, it is potential, rather than actual, extermination that is mentioned (eg, Claudian, 'Bellum Gothicum' 1.90-103). There is certainly praise for slaughter (eg, Claudian 'de Tertio Consulatu' 147-150; 'Pan. Lat' 2(12).5.2-4), but rather than extermination, more frequent topoi are celebrations of expanding empire (eg, 'Pan. Lat.' 8(2).3.3) or descriptions of clemency (eg, 'Pan. Lat.' 4(10).37.2) or of once hostile nations now cowed in fear or subservient to the empire (eg, 'Pan. Lat.' 2(12).22). Secondly, although rare, extermination is nonetheless considered praiseworthy. Such praise particularly occurs in the context of imperial responses to nomadic tribes who have invaded the empire or have been treacherous (eg, 'Pan. Lat.' 12(9).22.6; 'ILS' 798). However, the significance of this focus is problematic to determine as combating such invasions also reflects the main area of western military activity in this era.