The decline and fall of the ancient triumph

Guy Richard William Halsall

The decline and fall of the ancient triumph

History

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

This chapter argues that although victory remained absolutely central to
royal ideals and imagery, there was a crucial change between the late Roman and
the early medieval western worlds. Though key features remained (processions etc.) there was a decisive shift of emphasis towards Christian celebration presided over by the church; towards thanksgiving rather than praise; and towards Old Testament imagery. It is argued that a key phase of this shift took place after the Justinianic wars of the mid-sixth century. This change is explained in terms of the renegotiation of the ideological bases of power caused by Justinian’s wars and the end of the Roman Empire. In this more Christian mode of thought, credit for victory was not appropriately given to mortal warriors, however skilful. Finally, the developments in the nature of ‘triumphal’ rulership are ascribed to a change in the ‘geo-political’ nature of the West and perhaps to a difference in the types of warfare being waged.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Der römische Triumph in Prinzipat und Spätantike
Editors	Fabian Goldbeck, Johannes Weinand
Place of Publication	Berlin
Publisher	De Gruyter
Pages	555-68
Number of pages	14
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-11-044800-9
ISBN (Print)	978-3-11-044568-8
Publication status	Published - 6 Jan 2017

Bibliographical note

This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details

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[9783110448009 - Der römische Triumph in Prinzipat und Spätantike] The Decline and Fall of the Ancient Triumph
This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details (embargo period: 12 months)

Cite this

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AB - This chapter argues that although victory remained absolutely central toroyal ideals and imagery, there was a crucial change between the late Roman andthe early medieval western worlds. Though key features remained (processions etc.) there was a decisive shift of emphasis towards Christian celebration presided over by the church; towards thanksgiving rather than praise; and towards Old Testament imagery. It is argued that a key phase of this shift took place after the Justinianic wars of the mid-sixth century. This change is explained in terms of the renegotiation of the ideological bases of power caused by Justinian’s wars and the end of the Roman Empire. In this more Christian mode of thought, credit for victory was not appropriately given to mortal warriors, however skilful. Finally, the developments in the nature of ‘triumphal’ rulership are ascribed to a change in the ‘geo-political’ nature of the West and perhaps to a difference in the types of warfare being waged.

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