ABSTRACT
The spectacular Roman triumphs over the Parthians during the second century were a vivid testament to the power of Roman arms, but they had been won against something of a paper tiger. Markers of hybridity in the late antique western Roman world are often preserved through grave goods and through the location and presentation of funerary monuments. Angry, a mob of Arab troops surrounded a group of Roman soldiers; as tempers flared and swords were drawn, a Roman patrol intervened. The literary record contains numerous references to minor skirmishes, hit-and-run raids, hostage taking, and general disturbances that required the intervention of Roman troops. One of the most famous episodes of violence between Romans and Arabs was the revolt of Queen Mavia. The episode also illustrates the key importance of personal relationships in governing interactions between the Roman state and their Arab allies.
