ABSTRACT
The title of this paper sounds vague. It really can’t be otherwise. If I am trying to speak of political concepts of the Romans I have to select a few out of an almost numberless crowd. I trust it is clear that I am not going to speak of institutions. I have indicated my main principle of selection by confining my subject to concepts of state and empire. That is to say that I shall say very little, if anything, about the well-known slogans of Roman political and social life, such as amicitia, clientela, factio, or even fides, dignitas, auctoritas, dementia or libertas, though I shall have to mention them. All have been frequently treated, and, of course, they are all most important if one wishes to study the political mind of the Romans. In confining myself, as far as possible, to a much more limited theme, I hope at least to avoid being too lengthy and superficial.
