62

This paper presents a synthesis on the notion of Empire, underlying the virtues and the limits of comparatism in history. It contains three parts : a provisional historiographical evaluation, a critical analysis of comparatism applied to the notion of empire, and a picture of the Roman Empire compared to other empires. It emphasizes the recent shifting of prospects which led the contemporary historiography to distinguish between the analysis of the phenomenon of imperialism and the study of the structures of the imperial state. The comparison shows that if the Roman Empire shares with others common characteristics (as expansion of the space to control, claims to universality, “imperial” identity), it has two specific features : Rome’s strong attractivity, and integration of the conquered countries through the diffusion of the Roman citizenship, first to the civic local élites, then from 212 to the free inhabitants of the Empire.