Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IMPACTVM (Mapping the impact of the Augustan colonies on the Early Roman Empire)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2024-08-31
Problem/Issue Addressed: The IMPACTVM project focuses on understanding the role of Latin epigraphy in the Augustan colonization process and its impact on provincial societies during the early Roman Empire. Specifically, it examines how Latin inscriptions were introduced and adapted in five key veteran colonies: Augusta Emerita, Lugdunum, Iulia Carthago, Corinth, and Iulia Augusta Philippensis. These inscriptions served not only as markers of Roman influence but also as tools of political control, social integration, and cultural transformation. The primary issue is the need to better understand the processes through which Roman colonial policies reshaped local cultures, identities, and spatial organization through the widespread use of Latin public writing.
Importance for Society: Understanding how inscriptions functioned as a tool of Romanization is crucial for gaining insights into broader processes of cultural interaction and colonial control. Epigraphy is not just about the past; it provides insights into how public communication and imposed identities shape societies. This can help us better understand contemporary cultural integration and identity negotiation in contexts of colonization or cultural assimilation. Furthermore, the findings contribute to the preservation and valorization of ancient cultural heritage, making it accessible to both scholars and the broader public through digital tools and dissemination activities.
Overall Objectives: The project aimed to:
Understand the Early Spread of Latin Epigraphy: Investigate how the introduction of Latin inscriptions influenced the cultural landscapes of the provinces, examining local reception, adaptation, and the role of local artisans.
Epigraphy as a Tool for Shaping Identity and Power: Analyze how inscriptions established social and political hierarchies, focusing on the identities of Roman veterans, local elites, and underrepresented groups, including women and non-elite individuals.
Transforming Urban and Rural Landscapes: Explore how inscriptions altered both physical and conceptual landscapes, organizing urban and rural spaces, defining public buildings, roads, and burial practices.
Develop a Comparative Framework: Introduce a comparative analysis across five colonies to understand regional differences and the adaptation of Roman inscriptions in diverse cultural contexts.
Innovative Methodological Integration: Use digital humanities tools, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and EpiDoc, to create a comprehensive database of inscriptions and analyze spatial distribution and cultural dynamics in the provinces.
Conclusions of the Action: The project demonstrated that Latin epigraphy had a significant but regionally nuanced impact on colonial societies. In some cases, inscriptions acted as instruments of Romanization, while in others, they were hybridized with local practices, reflecting cultural resistance or adaptation. The use of digital tools provided an unprecedented level of insight into spatial and cultural dynamics, while the comparative approach highlighted the diverse ways in which Roman and local cultures interacted. Ultimately, IMPACTVM has provided a more holistic understanding of Roman colonization, emphasizing the complexity of cultural integration and the agency of local populations in adapting or resisting Roman influences.
Importance for Society: Understanding how inscriptions functioned as a tool of Romanization is crucial for gaining insights into broader processes of cultural interaction and colonial control. Epigraphy is not just about the past; it provides insights into how public communication and imposed identities shape societies. This can help us better understand contemporary cultural integration and identity negotiation in contexts of colonization or cultural assimilation. Furthermore, the findings contribute to the preservation and valorization of ancient cultural heritage, making it accessible to both scholars and the broader public through digital tools and dissemination activities.
Overall Objectives: The project aimed to:
Understand the Early Spread of Latin Epigraphy: Investigate how the introduction of Latin inscriptions influenced the cultural landscapes of the provinces, examining local reception, adaptation, and the role of local artisans.
Epigraphy as a Tool for Shaping Identity and Power: Analyze how inscriptions established social and political hierarchies, focusing on the identities of Roman veterans, local elites, and underrepresented groups, including women and non-elite individuals.
Transforming Urban and Rural Landscapes: Explore how inscriptions altered both physical and conceptual landscapes, organizing urban and rural spaces, defining public buildings, roads, and burial practices.
Develop a Comparative Framework: Introduce a comparative analysis across five colonies to understand regional differences and the adaptation of Roman inscriptions in diverse cultural contexts.
Innovative Methodological Integration: Use digital humanities tools, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and EpiDoc, to create a comprehensive database of inscriptions and analyze spatial distribution and cultural dynamics in the provinces.
Conclusions of the Action: The project demonstrated that Latin epigraphy had a significant but regionally nuanced impact on colonial societies. In some cases, inscriptions acted as instruments of Romanization, while in others, they were hybridized with local practices, reflecting cultural resistance or adaptation. The use of digital tools provided an unprecedented level of insight into spatial and cultural dynamics, while the comparative approach highlighted the diverse ways in which Roman and local cultures interacted. Ultimately, IMPACTVM has provided a more holistic understanding of Roman colonization, emphasizing the complexity of cultural integration and the agency of local populations in adapting or resisting Roman influences.
Work Performed:
Epigraphic Analysis: Systematic study of Latin inscriptions in five veteran colonies, with fieldwork and data collection supported by secondments at Oxford and Athens.
Digital Tools: Use of GIS and EpiDoc for creating a comprehensive digital database of inscriptions and analyzing spatial distribution.
Training and Fieldwork: Specialized training in epigraphy and sociolinguistics, combined with extensive fieldwork at Mérida, Carthage, Corinth, and Lyon for direct examination of inscriptions.
Main Results:
Cultural and Sociolinguistic Impact: Demonstrated regional variations in the use of Latin epigraphy and its role in cultural adaptation, involving diverse social groups.
Transformation of Landscapes: Showed how inscriptions structured civic and rural spaces, marking Roman authority and blending with local customs.
Comparative Insights: Developed a framework to understand regional differences in Romanization, highlighting local agency.
Exploitation and Dissemination:
Academic and Public Outputs: Published a monograph, several articles, presented at conferences, and engaged in public outreach through a website and National Geographic Historia.
Digital Resources: Created a lasting digital epigraphic database and GIS maps, useful for research and heritage projects.
The project has provided crucial insights into Romanization, cultural dynamics, and laid a strong foundation for future research and preservation efforts.
Epigraphic Analysis: Systematic study of Latin inscriptions in five veteran colonies, with fieldwork and data collection supported by secondments at Oxford and Athens.
Digital Tools: Use of GIS and EpiDoc for creating a comprehensive digital database of inscriptions and analyzing spatial distribution.
Training and Fieldwork: Specialized training in epigraphy and sociolinguistics, combined with extensive fieldwork at Mérida, Carthage, Corinth, and Lyon for direct examination of inscriptions.
Main Results:
Cultural and Sociolinguistic Impact: Demonstrated regional variations in the use of Latin epigraphy and its role in cultural adaptation, involving diverse social groups.
Transformation of Landscapes: Showed how inscriptions structured civic and rural spaces, marking Roman authority and blending with local customs.
Comparative Insights: Developed a framework to understand regional differences in Romanization, highlighting local agency.
Exploitation and Dissemination:
Academic and Public Outputs: Published a monograph, several articles, presented at conferences, and engaged in public outreach through a website and National Geographic Historia.
Digital Resources: Created a lasting digital epigraphic database and GIS maps, useful for research and heritage projects.
The project has provided crucial insights into Romanization, cultural dynamics, and laid a strong foundation for future research and preservation efforts.
Progress Beyond the State of the Art: The IMPACTVM project advanced the understanding of Latin epigraphy by showing its role as a culturally adaptive medium, rather than a monolithic tool of Romanization. Using a novel comparative framework, it studied inscriptions across different colonies, highlighting regional variations. The integration of digital tools like GIS and EpiDoc also allowed for spatial and comparative analysis on an unprecedented scale.
Expected Results: The project will finalize a digital database of Latin inscriptions, produce scholarly publications and a monograph, and refine GIS-based maps of inscription distribution. These resources will be accessible for both academic research and public education.
Potential Impacts:
Academic Impact: Enhanced understanding of Roman cultural integration, using new interdisciplinary methods.
Cultural Heritage: Digital preservation and public dissemination of Latin inscriptions.
Wider Societal Implications: Insights into cultural hybridization applicable to contemporary issues of cultural diversity and integration, supported by public engagement initiatives like articles and workshops.
Expected Results: The project will finalize a digital database of Latin inscriptions, produce scholarly publications and a monograph, and refine GIS-based maps of inscription distribution. These resources will be accessible for both academic research and public education.
Potential Impacts:
Academic Impact: Enhanced understanding of Roman cultural integration, using new interdisciplinary methods.
Cultural Heritage: Digital preservation and public dissemination of Latin inscriptions.
Wider Societal Implications: Insights into cultural hybridization applicable to contemporary issues of cultural diversity and integration, supported by public engagement initiatives like articles and workshops.