Imperium ideology

[Epictetus]

When it comes to Rome and war, there are two very fascinating schools of thought you might be interested in. William Harris' War and Imperialism in Republican Rome (1979) basically said that the Romans were unusually bellicose. This was countered in 2006 by Arthur M. Eckstein's Mediterranean Anarchy, Interstate War, and the Rise of Rome. Eckstein said that Harris was incorrect, and the every state in the Mediterranean was more-or-less equally eager for war. It's a fascinating debate.

Edit: Here is a good review of Eckstein that compares him with Harris. http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2009/2009-06-44.html