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This project is a comprehensive study of the frequent riots that broke out in ancient Rome during the Roman Republic and Empire. The resulting book will be the first to compile a database of all incidents of violent urban collective behavior at Rome, and will analyze their frequency, causes, characteristics, and effects. Particular attention will be paid to investigating issues of leadership, organization, and participation. In contrast to a traditional top-down scholarly perspective in which riots at Rome are often viewed as threats to public order that must be suppressed, this study will focus on their role as a means of communication for the urban populace and as manifestations of popular opinion. While the resultant scholarly book will be a specific case study, given that urban riots permeate all periods of history and continue to plague cities today, this project should have both broad appeal and relevance.