The Roman State Cult Outside the Cities of Thrace

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Güneydoğu Avrupa Araştırmaları Dergisi
Sayı: 40
The Roman State Cult Outside the Cities of Thrace

The Roman State Cult Outside the Cities of Thrace

Pages : 47-72

View : 16 | Download : 5

Publication Date : 2023-04-28

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :While almost all evidence about emperor worship in Roman Thrace originates from the urban context, little is known about state religion outside the cities. The paper explores the attestation of veneration practices in the cities’ territories and in non-urban structures by examining data from such things as road stations, emporia, komai, sanctuaries, recreational facilities, and domains. The sites are classified according to their primary or most probable identification. Some of these had multiple functions that challenge their interpretation. Most evidence comes from inner Thrace, the area between Philippopolis and Augusta Traiana. Perhaps this can be explained by the economic resources of these two cities and the more advanced archaeological research. The data from the Aegean coast and the Via Egnatia is limited to inscriptions about roadworks and border marking. This picture probably is due to the frequent imperial journeys through Via Diagonalis and the multiple occasions for central authorities’ direct involvement in local matters. Imperial veneration practices in most non-urban contexts, such as setting up statues and using special formulae, are linked to practical and economic reasons. The emporia present a more city-like organization, with more versatile instances of emperor worship practices.
Keywords : Roman Thrace, Roman official religion, imperial cult, non-urban settlements, city territories

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