An introduction to the theory of p-adic representations

Abstract

The purpose of this informal article is to introduce the reader to some of the objects and methods of the theory of p-adic representations. My hope is that students and mathematicians who are new to the subject will find it useful as a starting point. It consists mostly of an expanded version of the notes for my two lectures at the "Dwork trimester" in June 2001.Comment: 44 pages, submitted to: Geometric Aspects of Dwork's Theory - A Volume in memory of Bernard Dwor