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Document Details : Title: Conspicuous Consumption and the Pursuit of Sumptuousness Subtitle: The Lifestyle of Roman Senators between Conformity and Competition in the Early and High Empire Author(s): KLINGENBERG, Andreas Journal: Ancient Society Volume: 55 Date: 2025 Pages: 191-232 DOI: 10.2143/AS.55.0.3295048 Abstract : The ‘pursuit of sumptuousness’ (studium magnificentiae) of Roman senators in the Imperial Age was criticized by Tacitus and other ancient voices in terms of moral decay, painting a powerful picture that remains influential even today. Drawing on a conceptual framework which integrates the theories of Thorstein Veblen, Georg Simmel and Pierre Bourdieu, this paper explains that the magnificence and splendor of the senatorial lifestyle is less to be interpreted as a personal inclination to luxury and debauchery, even though this might nonetheless in some cases be true. Rather, ‘conspicuous consumption’ was part of the senators’ social role. Though spending huge sums for houses, furnishing, banquets and more entailed the risk of financial ruin, it was an obligation Roman senators could not escape, if they wanted to keep social distance, acceptance by their peers and their careers going. |
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