Classical Archaeology in Italy (original) (raw)

Classical archaeology in Italy is argued to have a complex and pervasive influence on the intellectual landscape, often entangled with nationalist ideologies. The dominance of Roman archaeology has led to an overshadowing of other historical periods and has been shaped by the narratives that idolize the Roman era as the pinnacle of Italian history. Despite the awareness of these biases, certain longstanding assumptions regarding Roman culture, such as militarism, remain largely unchallenged. The paper emphasizes the necessity to revisit these foundational beliefs to enable a broader understanding of Italy's past that encompasses its diverse historical heritage.