Autochthony in Imperial Rome: Earth, Birth, and Empire

Roman autochthony is not an impossible concept, though little studied. The Greek model not only situated a common polis identity, but also characterized it by perceptions of the earth it was built upon. Given this precedent, it was only natural that Romans should reiterate such connections to the earth in their own society. Towards this end, Latin authors used chthonic foundation myths of Rome to emphasize an aboriginal relationship to the land. In his history of Rome Livy recounts Brutus\u27 earthborn qualities, while Virgil\u27s Aeneas, in his quest to establish Rome, seeks out the Italic land and is received by the prima tellus and antiqua mater (Book 3). Additionally, Livy speaks of Romulus\u27 attempts create a common telluric ancestry and the Romuleian land he governs. The Romans, however, were not truly autochthonous. Since they could not actually be sprung from a land they settled as immigrants, these Roman authors fabricated earth connections with creation myths containing autochthonous elements, recognizing the need for rationalization of Romanitas by means of the past. They could then legitimize Roman claims to authority by emphasizing the relationships founding heroes had to the land that they claimed for themselves. This employment of the elemental natural world in explanation and justification of current ideas and practices, particularly the expansion of power, represents Roman awareness of the significance found in a legendary past grounded in the earth itself