romecentric

Romecentric is an adjective used to describe approaches, analyses, designs, or narratives that center Rome—its history, culture, architecture, or influence—as the focal point. The term is used across disciplines to indicate a perspective that prioritizes Rome's significance relative to other places or periods.

Origins and scope: The coinage combines Rome with the -centric suffix, paralleling terms such as Eurocentric or ethnocentric. It does not imply a literal geographic confinement but emphasizes Rome as a primary reference axis in the subject under study.

Applications: In urban planning and architecture, a romecentric approach might prioritize preservation of historic streetscapes and visual alignments toward landmarks like the Colosseum or the Forum. In archaeology or historiography, it can describe studies that foreground Roman-era sites, institutions, or power structures. In tourism and media, romecentric narratives present itineraries, documentaries, or fiction that place Rome at the center of the storyline or theme.

Criticism and alternatives: Critics note that romecentric frameworks can overlook regional diversity, post-Roman layers of history, or the broader Mediterranean and global connections of Rome. Alternatives include cosmopolitan, Mediterranean, or polycentric approaches that balance Rome with other regions and cultures.

See also: Rome, Roman Empire, urban planning, centricity, historiography.