At the Crossroads of Different Traditions. Social and Cultural Dynamics in Roman Thrace Through the Epigraphic Practice

Abstract

This paper deals with the integration of Thrace into the Roman world through the analysis of three interrelated phenomena: the diffusion of the Latin language; the diffusion of Roman citizenship; the diffusion of Roman names. To highlight these phenomena the present contribution analyses the epigraphic production of three urban centres of the provincia Thracia: Maroneia, Perinthos, and Philippolis. Due to their geographical position (in Aegean Thrace, Thracian Chersonesos, and mainland Thrace respectively), these three cities can provide an indicative picture of the social and cultural dynamics induced by the Roman presence in the Thracian territory.