148 THE ROMAN EMPIRE
At the bottom of the social and economic scale, and with little chance of improving
their position, ‘the poor’ have not been neglected (by historians), though they have
proved hard to pin down, not least because they were by no means an undifferentiated
group. See the various papers in Atkins and Osborne (2006); also Garnsey
(1991/1998), Whittaker (1993), Harris (2011).
Ordo
Talbert (1984) discusses many aspects of the senate; see also Chastagnol (1992). On
demographic matters, see Scheidel (1999a). Duncan-Jones (forthcoming), is a wide-
ranging statistical analysis of career- patterns of senators and also equestrians.
Chronological or regional studies include Alföldy (1976) and Birley (2005). Panciera
(1982) is a collection of papers on the origins of senators. The seven volumes of
Ronald Syme’s Roman papers edited by Badian and Birley (Syme 1979– ) are
invaluable for following up individuals, or groups of senatorial offi cials. The third
century is well covered by Jacques (1986, in Italian), Christol (1986), and Leunissen
(1989, in German).
On equestrians, see Demougin (1988, Julio-Claudian period; 1992, prosopography;
1993, second century); also Demougin et al. (1999), Nicolet (1984), Duncan-Jones
(2006). For equestrians in the army, see Devijver (1976–2001, 1992). For the
Republican background, see Brunt (1988), ch.3; Giovannini (2010).
On decurions, or city- councillors, we have seen no monographic treatment since
Langhammer (1973, in German). The contribution of Jacques (1984, 1990) is very
signifi cant. Of regional or local studies, the most substantial is Quass (1993), for the
Greek East. See also Mouritsen (1988, 1997, 1998 and forthcoming), and various
papers in the following collections: Baudry and Destephen (2012), Cébeillac-
Gervasoni (1996, 2000, 2003 with Lamoine, 2004, with Lamoine and Trément),
Lamoine (2010, with Berrendonner and Cébeillac-Gervasoni). On Egypt, Tacoma
(2006). On public munifi cence among local elites, see Zuiderhoek (2009a) with a
critique of earlier literature, including the classic account of Veyne (1976), of which
Veyne (1990) is a shortened version in English.
Slaves and freedmen
The literature on slavery is extensive. Bradley (1994) is the best short introduction.
See also Andreau and Descat (2011, for Greece and Rome). Bradley and Cartledge
(2011), chs. 11–22, provides comprehensive coverage. Harper (2011) on slavery in
the late empire is essential reading for earlier periods as well. McKeown (2007, 2010)
offers a critical retrospective on the historiography of slavery; see also Shaw (1998)
on Finley, and the issue, now more or less dead, of whether slaves were a class;
Rathbone (1983) is informative on the Italian neo-Marxism of the last generation;
more generally, on the same topic, Heinen (2010, in German). The various
contributions of Scheidel are particularly valuable, especially on slave numbers and
sources of supply. See e.g. Scheidel (1997 – and the reply of Harris (1999) – 2005a and
b, 2008, 2011). For Jewish slavery see Hezser (2005). On attitudes to slavery, see
Garnsey (1996). For slaves in agriculture, see Chapter 6 Addendum.