01-23-2015, 08:37 AM
I am not at all sure that the Romans used the word imperium in the same sense that we use 'Empire'. Imperium essentially means 'power, control, jurisdiction'. It can mean 'empire' but in the sense of 'having empire (i.e., control) over'. I have had a look at Vegetius' use of imperium. There are two instances in which imperium Romanum is translated by Milner as 'Roman Empire' but, in context, imperium could also be translated as 'control' or 'power', so that does not help much. Vegetius seems to use populus Romanus as representing the Roman state and, at one point, speaks of respublica Romana without any sense that this would be incongruous some 400 years after the end of the Republic. In addition to these, it occurs to me, but without authority as yet, that civitas Romana is a possibility.
Thus, it seems to me that populus Romanus, respublica Romana and civitas Romana are more likely usages than imperium Romanum. Nevertheless, I would be interested to see other opinions.
Thus, it seems to me that populus Romanus, respublica Romana and civitas Romana are more likely usages than imperium Romanum. Nevertheless, I would be interested to see other opinions.
Michael King Macdona
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
