This book is a study of the process conventionally termed 'Romanization' through an investigation of the experience of Rome's Gallic provinces in the late Republic and early empire. Beginning with a rejection of the concept of 'Romanization' it describes the nature of Roman power in Gaul and the Romans' own understanding of these changes. Successive chapters then map the chronology and geography of change and offer new interpretations of urbanism, rural civilization, consumption and cult, before concluding with a synoptic view of Gallo-Roman civilization and of the origins of provincial cultures in general. The work draws on literary and archaeological material to make a contribution to the cultural history of the empire which will be of interest to ancient historians, classical archaeologists and all interested in cultural change.

‘ … a bold and far-reaching study, and a particularly valuable addition to the corpus of literature on the Western Roman provinces.’

Source: The Times Literary Supplement

‘ … a stimulating and impressive achievement.’

Source: The Cambridge Archaeological Journal

‘[Greg Woolf] has … produced a study that any serious student of the ancient world must read, and that is without question the best book on the western provinces written this decade.’

Source: Bryn Mawr Classical Review

‘… rich and versatile … The book combines an enormous amount of detailed research with a decade of profound reflection.’

Source: The Classical Review

‘… many scholars will find it a useful source of reference … original and scholarly … it belongs on the reading list of the many undergraduate course-units to which it will be pertinent … invaluable introduction written for an intelligent audience with little prior knowledge … university library copies stand to become well thumbed by an audience spanning all levels. … a thought-provoking book that has much to teach authors on Roman Britain.’

Source: Journal of Roman Studies