The Question of Romanization – To Be or not To Be Roman : An Introductory Study

Year 2016, Issue: 6, 0 - 20, 01.01.2016

Fikret K. Yegül

Abstract

The issue of ‘Romanization’ has inspired a long, and occasionally controversial, discourse in classical studies. The straightforward dictionary meaning of the word, “making non-Romans Roman” has positive and negative connotations. In a world where we cherish our “differences” we view the eroding of individual, tribal or racial cultures through military conquest, as an undesirable aspect of imperialism. Conversely, there are many instances where the Roman presence has brought the advantages of peace and prosperity to nations and the created opportunities for the masses. In sum, Romanization is a complex process which is hard to define in simple, unilateral, or polarized views. The process and its results were far different in Roman Britain than in Roman Greece or Asia Minor. Geography, history and local tradition mattered. At best, Roman conquest and annexation resulted in a gradual amalgamation of Roman and native traditions—not in a seamless whole—but, a reasonably harmonious coexistence of the conquered and the conqueror with shared benefits and shared pains.

Keywords

Romanization, Roman empire, imperialism, native cultures

Romalılaşma Sorunu - Romalı Olmak Ya da Olmamak: Bir Ön Değerlendirme

Abstract

Klasik dönemlerle ilgili olarak yapılan çalışmalarda, ‘Romalılaşma’ kavramı üzerine uzun ve kimi zaman tartışmalı açıklamalar yapılmıştır. Basit anlamıyla, “Romalı olmayanların Romalılaştırılmaları” diye tanımlanabilen bu sözcüğe pozitif veya negatif açıdan yaklaşabiliriz. Farklılıklarımızı beslediğimiz, el üstünde tuttuğumuz bir dünyada, bireysel, kabileye ait veya etnik kültürlerin askeri fetihler yoluyla eritilmesi ya da tamamen yok edilmesi, emperyalizmin istenmeyen özelliklerinden birisidir. Buna karşılık, Roma varlığı ve idaresi birçok topluma barış ve refah getirmiş, emekçi kitlelerine yeni bir yaşam için imkân oluşturmuştur. Bu imkân cok defa Roma’nın teknolojik ve idari becerisinin paylaşılmasıyla gerçekleşmiştir. Kısacası, Romalılaşma basit ve kutuplaşmış tanımlamalara sığmayacak kadar çok yönlü ve kompleks bir sosyo-politik yapıdır. Bu gelişim imparatorluğun bütünü içinde, Britanya’da başka, Yunanistan ve Anadolu’da başka türlü olmuştur. Coğrafya ve tarihe dayalı gelenekler fark yaratırlar. En olumlu anlamıyla Romalılaşma, Roma ve yerli kültürlerin sızdırmaz bir bütünleşmesi değil; makul ve gerçekçi bir uyum ve ortaklaşa gelişen fayda ve zarar çerçevesi içinde birleşmesi, beraber yaşayabilmesidir.

Keywords

Romalılaşma, Roma İmparatorluğu, emperyalizm, yerel kültürler

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