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Power and identity in Roman Cyprus

This thesis explores individual and collective identities and experiences of Roman power by considering the roles of insiders (Cypriots) and outsiders (non Cypriots). Chapter one presents the history of scholarship on Roman Cyprus and considers the impact of previous studies, shaped by the model of Romanisation, on studies of Roman Cyprus today. Chapter two examines the Roman annexation and administration of Cyprus in order to contextualise later analysis of Cypriot experiences of, and reactions to, Rome. This chapter also re-considers evidence for the proconsuls of Roman Cyprus from 58 BC to the mid fourth century AD. Chapter three explores how Roman citizens and high profile visitors from outside the island, along with locally enfranchised elites, expressed their identity in public monuments. For comparison, the monuments of individuals who did not obtain citizenship are briefly considered. Chapter four investigates collective power and identity by turning to the poleis of Roman Cyprus. Central to this investigation is the exploration of the construction of civic identity in the Roman period. Evidence for the use of mythology, particularly foundation myths, and local religious practices are considered in the study of each polis. Chapter five considers the overall identity of Roman Cyprus first by examining evidence for the representation of individuals and the poleis of Cyprus in monuments outside the island. Next, this chapter examines the activities and monuments of the koinon of Cyprus. The final chapter ties together the evidence for individual and collective identities explored in chapters two to five to summarise how Roman power was experienced in Cyprus and what identities emerged in response. Finally, this chapter considers what elements comprised the identities expressed under Roman rule and whether there was a particular quality that could be considered as exclusively 'Cypriot' under Rome.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:640963
Date January 2014
CreatorsHussein, Ersin
PublisherUniversity of Warwick
Source SetsEthos UK
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Sourcehttp://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/66671/

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