ROMAN INFLUENCE IN CILICIA THROUGH ARCHITECTURE (LEV. 1-5)

Abstract

ROMAN INFLUENCE IN CILICIA THROUGH ARCHITECTURE (LEV. 1-5)

Abstract

Cilicia differs from the other Asian provinces on many aspects. Its peripheral location, its geographical separation from the inland –due to the Taurus range– and the lack of important natural harbours influenced the historical events of the region, thus fostering the survival of local linguistic, onomastic and religious elements until the beginning of the Imperial age.These features (together with others of different kind) strongly affected also the archaeological studies in the region. Despite the state of preservation of many monuments and the renown of some cities (such as Tarsos) –at odds with many other provinces in Asia Minor–, the 19th century travellers were not so numerous (and unfortunately not aimed by the desire to supply with detailed documentary evidence the ruins visible at the time) and still today a substantial lack of extensive excavations as well as of topographical surveys is reported. Regardless of the scarcity of data available at present, this account aims at providing some considerations about the effects of Roman annexation of Cilicia on architecture, or rather, it tries to point out the changes introduced as well as how they were locally welcomed and interpreted.

References

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