Peter Jones

Ancient & modern | 29 September 2007

Last time we observed that Greeks and Romans saw advantages in making citizenship exclusive. But while we long to be dreamily inclusive (as Lib Dems have argued), ethnic, religious and other barriers seem to stand in the way. The Romans can help us.

issue 29 September 2007

In AD 212, partly to raise tax, Caracalla made citizenship automatic for all free peoples within the empire. But even though many foreigners/barbarians (e.g. Germanic peoples such as Goths, Visigoths and Vandals) settled within the empire to serve in the Roman army (etc.) after that date, we know of very few granted full citizenship.

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