In the arid Mediterranean world the careful management of water was essential for survival. Control of this resource was akin to political power. Rome and its environs were no different: water was an important status symbol and granting public access to it was considered a particularly generous gesture. During the principate a successful emperor was expected to demonstrate concern for the needs of the populace and one of the most effective ways for him to do this was by providing abundant quantities of water. As a political tool, water proved to be invaluable in its versatility. Imperial gifts could manifest in the form of access to drinking water, leisure spaces such as public gardens and baths, or even spectacular games and shows given on purpose-built artificial lakes. Additionally, massive engineering works such as aqueducts, harbors, and drainage projects, aimed at improving the water and food supply, were carefully designed to showcase the resources and generosity of the imperial patron. This study traces the origins of these forms of largesse, following their development from the Republican period to the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. By examining the water-related monuments and spectacles of each individual Julio-Claudian emperor in the context of their time, this dissertation aims to reconstruct the structures themselves, their intended audiences, and the water policies and patterns of influence created by each Julio-Claudian emperor. The first principes of Rome were still shaping their role and exploring ways in which they could balance their exercise of power with their expected responsibilities to the different strata of Roman society. The early principes began to experiment with water related munificence, and created many new forms of buildings and displays for the public that would eventually become canonical components of Imperial largesse and legitimization. / text

This thesis is an investigation of possible significant parallels of the Roman imperial cult (Caesar-Nero) in the book of Hebrews. The book of Hebrews was no doubt greatly impacted by Jewish influence, context, and background. Yet there may be other significant influences that have formed the New Testament book of Hebrews. One such possible influence to the book of Hebrews is the Roman Empire, and more specifically, the Roman imperial cult, the worship of living Roman emperors in god-like terms and the deification of dead emperors. The writer of Hebrews may have used language, forms, and images of the Roman ruler cult to contrast, compare, or clarify their theology and interpretation of Jesus and God. There is the possibility of correspondences between worship of the Roman emperors and the book of Hebrews. Are there significant parallels of the worship of the Caesars to God in the book of Hebrews? Did the writer of Hebrews use illusions, motifs, and images of the Roman emperor cult in parallel to Jesus Christ? Is the Roman imperial cult influence portrayed in the book of Hebrews? If yes, how and to what degree are they portrayed? If no, what are some of the divergences? This thesis attempts to answer these questions in an investigation for possible parallels of the Roman imperial cult (Caesar-Nero) in the New Testament book of Hebrews. I hypothesize there are significant parallels of the Roman imperial cult (Caesar-Nero) in the book of Hebrews. Through my findings I conclude that parallels with words and images on a broad level do exist, but discovery of significant parallels of direct influence were lacking. The parallels between Hebrews and the Roman imperial cult were more likely due to common sources, cultural settings, or universal ideas. The three strongest parallels of the emperor cult (Caesar-Nero) in the book of Hebrews were: divine sonship, enthronement after death, and benefaction. These parallels in combination with the weaker ones do not constitute significant parallelism. The Roman emperor cult does not appear to be a major influence which produced significant parallel for material contained in the book of Hebrews. / Dissertation (MTh (New Testament Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / New Testament Studies / MTh / unrestricted

Cette étude se propose de présenter l'évolution des collections privées d'art contemporain en Grèce au cours du siècle dernier. Malgré la forte présence du phénomène, les études à ce sujet sont rares, surtout concernant la période contemporaine qui est souvent délaissée au profit de l'archéologie et de la période byzantine. Pourtant, le phénomène du collectionnisme est très présent en Grèce et il est étroitement lié à I'histoire politique et sociale du pays, à des phénomènes tels que l'évergétisme, la diaspora et l'essor économique du pays à partir des années quatre-vingts lors de son entrée dans la Communauté Économique Européenne. Ainsi, l'aspect du phénomène se trouve-t-il en constante mutation. L'objectif de cette étude est donc une première approche des divers aspects du collectionnisme, étudié en relation avec l'histoire culturelle du pays, à travers les portraits de nombreux collectionneurs grecs qui ont vécu au XXe siècle. Ces passionnés d'art ont fortement marqué le paysage artistique et culturel de leur pays d'origine - mais aussi parfois de leur pays d'accueil - notamment grâce à la mise en valeur d'artistes et à l'influence du goût, mais surtout parce que leur activité est liée à la constitution de collection de musées de beaux-arts et de fondations privées. / This study aims to describe the history and situation of the private contemporary art collections in Greece du ring the last century. Despite the strong presence of the phenomenon, studies on this subject are scarce, especially in regard to the contemporary period, which is often neglected in favor of the Archeological and Byzantine period. However, the phenomenon of collecting contemporary art is very present in Greece and it is closely linked to the political and social history, to phenomenas such as benefaction, diaspora and the economic growth of the country, from the eighties upon entry into the European Economic Community. Thus, the appearance of the phenomenon is constantly changing. What is studied here is a first approach to the various aspects of collecting contemporary art in relation to the cultural history of the country, through the portraits of many iconic Greek collectors who lived in the twentieth century. These art lovers have strongly influenced the artistic and cultural landscape of their country of origin - but also sometimes to their home countries - through the discovery of artists and the influence of taste. The latter was achieved especially because their activity was related to the establishment of the permanent collections of fine art museums and private foundations.

This thesis is an examination of the role of architectural benefaction of the local elite on the urbanization of the Greek cities of Asia Minor in the Roman Imperial period, and its impact on the social status of the benefactor. While providing a theoretical framework for the nature of benefaction in antiquity and the pattern of architectural renewal of the Anatolian cities under the Roman influence, the thesis focuses on a single case study / the Hellenistic City Gate of Perge which was restored by Plancia Magna during the reign of Hadrian. After its renovation, the gate became an indispensible part of the urban activities of Perge and a source of pride for both the city and its donor. Hence, this study constitutes an attempt to investigate the involvement of Plancia Magna&rsquo / s architectural patronage within the Roman urbanization of Perge and also the transformation of the public persona of Plancia Magna in the center of the male-dominated Roman society.

Qu’est-ce que la représentation honorifique ? Cette simple question guide l’exploration de la pratique, née au IVe siècle et développée à l’époque hellénistique, qui consiste à offrir aux bienfaiteurs un monument à leur image. Fondée sur les décrets honorifiques et les sources archéologiques, l’analyse est d’abord matérielle. Sont ainsi examinées les contraintes et les attentes qui déterminent le choix du support de la représentation, de son matériau et de son emplacement. Dans le cas des statues, la forme de la base, les dimensions de l’œuvre et son mode de fixation sont étudiés. La vie des œuvres ne s’arrête cependant pas avec leur installation : plusieurs chapitres analysent leur entretien et, à rebours, leur mutilation, leur destruction et leur remploi. Une étude iconographique de la représentation honorifique est ensuite proposée. La description des œuvres conservées permet de brosser le portrait de la cité idéale que reflète la représentation honorifique, des stratèges vainqueurs aux femmes. Les marges du genre sont aussi explorées, à travers les représentations de héros et de souverains, mais aussi d’enfants. Ces études matérielle et iconographique sont le fondement de l’analyse historique. L’élucidation des origines de la représentation honorifique, qui remontent à l’époque archaïque, permet ainsi de dégager les spécificités de la représentation honorifique publique. Celle-ci sert ensuite de référence dans l’analyse des représentations honorifiques privées et commémoratives. Forte de cette exploration large, l’étude se clôt sur un examen des fonctions politiques et sociales de la représentation honorifique et de leur évolution à la basse époque hellénistique. / What does honorific representation stand for? Starting from this apparently simple question, the present study explores the many aspects of the habit, beginning in the 4th century B.C. and developing through the Hellenistic period, of granting the benefactors a representation of themselves. Based on the honorific decrees and the archaeological evidence, the analysis is primarily material. Thus, the expectations and constraints guiding the choice of a medium, of a material and of a place of erection are first examined. In the case of a statue, its size, the type of its base and the way it is fixed are thoroughly studied. But with their erection, the life of the representations just begins: a few chapters are devoted to their cleaning and also to their mutilation, destruction and reuse. Iconography is the second main topic of the study. Through a description of the remaining works of art, a portrait of the ideal city reflected by the honorific representation is drawn, from the victorious generals to the women. The limits of the genre are also explored, through a study of the representations of heroes and kings, but also of children. Both material and iconographic studies support the historical analysis. An introductory focus on the origins of the honorific representation allows a determination of the specific aspects of public representation. Keeping those in mind as a reference, the analysis turns then to the less studied private honorific and commemorative representations. This large scope exploration leads finally to an examination of the social and political role of the honorific representation and of its evolution through the late Hellenistic period.