OF BROOCHES AND BARROWS: ROMANISATION IN SLOVENIA BERNARDA ŽUPANEK Numerous articles published in Slovenian monographs and journals over the last three decades prove the popularity of research into both the period of transition from the Late Iron Age to Early Roman times and the Early Roman period itself. The articles concerned (Horvat 1993, Horvat 1997, Vičič 1994, Vidrih Perko 1996, Gaspari 1998, Miškec 2003, Stokin, Karinja 2004) often make use of the term ‘Romanisation,' reflecting the relevance of this concept in Early Roman archaeology in Slovenia. It is worth noting, though that the concept, despite its frequency and relevance, is not once defined. Its meaning is often expressed implicitly by way of phrases such as: “Roman influence”; “a strong influx of Roman pottery”; “broadening of Roman influence by trade”; and “the ever stronger Roman influence can be observed in the material culture.” Romanisation in Slovenian archaeology thus means the expansion of Roman culture, in particular, Roman material culture. This idea is neither new nor exceptional; in this regard, Slovenian archaeology simply follows the tradition of archaeologists and ancient historians of the Western world who, over the past 100 years, have often referred to the term 'Romanisation' to explore the spread of Roman culture. Here is a brief outline of the development of the concept of Romanisation, followed by an account of its adoption in Slovenia. About Romanisation in the West Knowledge about the classical past was a significant element in the creation of what today constitutes ‘Europe’ and ‘the West.' The very concept of the West originates from the division between the eastern and western halves of the empire, and the religious aspects that defined the West as Christian, the East as Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist (Hingley 2005, 19). The ideas about ancestors and roots have drawn upon the Roman Empire directly since its fall in the 5 th century. The past, in