This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book. The book examines the idea and ideology of peace in the classical world, and it makes clear that peace was a matter of concern not only to philosophers but also to politicians, poets, comedians: essentially, to anyone with an interest in the interpretation and reinterpretation of contemporary culture. It discusses the treatment of conquered peoples by the Romans, and similarly demonstrates that even a hegemonic power could find itself restricted in the settlements it might impose. The book provides a close analysis of an inscription from Spain from the second century bc, recording an agreement between a local population and their Roman conquerors. It also examines an individual case, and it is inevitable that concerns should overlap; and indeed that each in its own way should have dealt with all three significant themes of peace, conflict resolution and reconciliation.