When the Old World Was the New World: Roman Acculturation of Indigenous Customs in Western Europe

Abstract

This paper explores the acculturation of customs native to the people of Western Europe by Roman soldiers and citizens living on the frontier. This paper examines who these indigenous people were and focuses on their development from the middle of the fifth century BCE until several centuries after Roman conquest. There is an emphasis on the unique challenges presented by indigenous Europeans and how these challenges, either directly or indirectly, affected Roman culture. Although changes within the army are the primary focus of this paper, other aspects of frontier life are also examined, including self perception, trade and religion. Finally, this paper examines several ways by which native women spread their culture to the Romans.