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Document Details :

Title: Social Status and Cultural Identity in Roman Thrace
Subtitle: (Grave Stelai and Altars)
Author(s): IVANOV, Mario
Journal: Ancient West & East
Volume: 7    Date: 2008   
Pages: 135-150
DOI: 10.2143/AWE.7.0.2033256

Abstract :
Study of grave monuments shows that the basis of ancient provincial society was the nuclear family. The erection of a stele for a deceased child indicates the same level of urbanisation and also reveals the existence of very few middle to large towns. Relations of friendship between soldiers are often related to the right of inheritance; relations of dependence are rarely in evidence. Most of the grave monuments are in honour of military men, gladiators and craftsmen – people who formed the middle-class of provincial urban society. Before AD 212 the status of civis Romanus is rarely mentioned, and mostly related to military men. The onomastic data reveals a predominance of Greek and Roman names. This study of cultural identity through grave epigrams confirms the subjects’ integration into the urban cultural model.

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