What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine how the Roman lists of allies functioned as a mechanism for visualising the empire.

June 14, 2026Klio0 citationsOpen Access

Visualising Empire through Lists? The formula amicorum , sociorum and togatorum

Key Points

To examine how the Roman lists of allies functioned as a mechanism for visualising the empire.
Analyzed the formulae of Italian and Mediterranean allies.
Discussed potential display methods, particularly bronze tablets on the Capitol.
Explored historical context and implications for Roman behaviours and attitudes.
The formulae acted as organizational tools for the Roman Empire.
Displaying these lists likely influenced Roman imperial logic.
Specific behaviours and attitudes during the middle Republic were shaped by these visual mechanisms.

Abstract

Summary The Romans kept two lists or registers of their Italian allies ( formula togatorum ) and Mediterranean allies and friends ( formula sociorum/amicorum ). It will be argued that these formulae , most likely displayed as bronze tablets on the Capitol, were an organisational mechanism through which the Romans visualised their empire. This created a particular logic of empire which dictated certain Roman behaviours and attitudes during the middle Republic.

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