Aphrodisiaslı Gaius Iulius Zoilos: Roma Dünyasında Bir Azatlı ve İmparatorluk Dönemi Hayırseverliği

Year 2026, Issue: 33, 73 - 85, 26.02.2026

Nuriye Külahlı , Hüseyin Üreten

https://doi.org/10.33404/anasay.1845770

https://izlik.org/JA96MG26YA

Abstract

Roma toplumu, kölelik ve azatlılık kurumları üzerinden karmaşık bir sosyal düzen oluşturmuştur. Bu yapının en alt basamağında yer alan köleler hukuken mülk sayılırken, azatlılar sınırlı özgürlük ve toplumsal hareketlilik kazanıyordu. Bu çalışma, Roma İmparatorluk Dönemi’nde azatlıların sosyal statüsünü ve kamusal temsillerini, Aphrodisiaslı Gaius Iulius Zoilos örneği üzerinden incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmada epigrafik veriler ve kentteki kamusal yapı yazıtları temel kaynak olarak kullanılmış; yöntem olarak epigrafik analiz ve tarihsel-sosyal yorumlama uygulanmıştır. Bulgular, Zoilos’un kölelikten azatlığa geçişinin, imparatorluk çevresiyle kurduğu ilişkilerin ve Aphrodisias kentinde yürüttüğü hayırseverlik faaliyetlerinin, azatlı kimliğinin görünürlük ve toplumsal kabulünü artırdığını göstermektedir. Çalışma, Roma sosyal tarihi literatürüne, azatlılık ve kamusal bellek arasındaki dinamikleri anlamaya yönelik özgün ve bütüncül bir katkı sunmaktadır.

Keywords

Azatlı , Roma Toplumu , Gaius Iulius Zoilos , Hayırseverlik , Aphrodisias

Gaius Iulius Zoilos of Aphrodisias: A Freedman in the Roman World and Imperial-Era Philanthropy

https://izlik.org/JA96MG26YA

Abstract

Roman society was organized through a complex social structure shaped by slavery and manumission. Slaves, positioned at the lowest social level, were legally regarded as property, while freedmen gained limited freedom and social mobility. This study aims to examine the social status and public representation of freedmen in the Roman Imperial period, focusing on Gaius Iulius Zoilos of Aphrodisias as a case study. Epigraphic evidence and inscriptions from public buildings in the city serve as primary sources, while the methodology combines epigraphic analysis with historical-social interpretation. The findings indicate that Zoilos’ transition from slavery to freedman status, his connections with the imperial circle, and his philanthropic activities in Aphrodisias enhanced both the visibility of his identity and his social acceptance. This study provides an original and comprehensive contribution to the literature on Roman social history, shedding light on the dynamics between freedmen and public memory.

Keywords

Freedman , Roman Society , Gaius Iulius Zoilos , Philanthropy , Aphrodisias

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