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Younghusband
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Younghusband

Date

February 12th, 2007

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Rome’s network society

Art network from Mark Lombardi, Global Networks, Independent Curators, New York (2003).
Image from Mark Lombardi, Global Networks, Independent Curators, New York (2003).

In Lecture 37 of TTC’s brilliant History of Ancient Rome series, the always entertaining Dr. Garret Fagan describes the shape of Roman society during the Central Period (circa 200BC~200AD). It sounds very much like a scale-free network, with nodes collecting links and social status/power based on the number and quality of links. I have included a clip (2:20) of Professor Fagan’s explanation below. Click PLAY to hear the clip.

Comments to this entry

a517dogg
February 12, 2007
5:33 pm
This kind of model better explains most governments, because bureaucracies are circumvented by personal relationships in most hierarchies. Why else would we care what Baghdad Bill, err, I mean Bill Kristol thinks, or the rest of the pundits? They are close to those in power and have power themselves.
Jason W
February 12, 2007
7:19 pm
I like the HBO series. Violence, nudity and togas. A sure ratings winner. Who needs the Sopranos?
Younghusband
February 13, 2007
2:34 am
Dogg, the power that modern day pundits have is influence, rather than the legal power held by those in ancient Rome. Granted it can be just as effective.