Paideía e Imperio: Una reflexión sobre el valor de la cultura como fundamento del dominio imperial

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the relationship between Greek culture and Roman politics. My aim is twofold. First, I want to challenge the traditional point of view that held a Roman Ruling Power and a Hellenic Civilizing Power. In my opinion, Greek paideia should be considered as a basic component of the alliances between the Roman oligarchy and the Greek civic elites and, as a result of that, as an essential political tool for the Roman Empire. On the other hand, the Roman politicians and the Greek civic aristocracies sparked a debate on the definition of this new Greek culture for the Roman empire. In the end, a paideia based on the classic tradition and on the civic life succeeded.