Fear explores the cultural interaction between Rome and the various native groups found in Baetica (ancient Andalusia). It examines the degree to which Rome wished to change the area, how far our available evidence will allow us to see the outcome of such attempts, and the varied reactions of the native populations to the Roman presence. Fear concludes that the traditional model of "Romanization and resistance" is deficient for understanding the Baetican province and argues that Roman Imperialism is best seen through a model which emphasizes "the creation of new synthetic cultural forms."