19. A Lapsed Practice’s Lasting Legacy
Over time, as the Roman Republic expanded and later transitioned into the Empire, the practice of sub iugum declined. That was partly due to changing military customs, coupled with a greater emphasis on the outright total conquest of an enemy, as opposed the mere infliction of a ritualistic humiliation of his army.
However, the phrase “to pass under the yoke” remained a powerful metaphor in Roman and later Western literature for submission and disgrace. The ritual encapsulated Rome’s complex relationship with warfare, honor, and power. It was not just about military defeat, but about psychological dominance: it ensured that those who opposed Rome remembered not only their defeat, but also the shame imposed upon them by the victors.
