Description

Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean, came under Roman domination during the late Republican Civil War. Due to its position outside of the political and strategic centres of the Empire, Roman Cyprus was something of a terra incognita among ancient historians. This book investigates communication between this "quiescent" province and the Roman emperor through the exploration of fascinating epigraphic evidence concerning the imperial cult and imperial representation on the island (dedications, statues, oaths, priests, calendars etc.). The central themes of the book are the religious status of the emperor embedded in the Cypriot religious milieu, political relationships between Cyprus and the Empire and their influences on the imperial cult performed on the island, and the part played by imperial representation in the life cycle of the Cypriots. The appendix catalogues the relevant inscriptions, with translations and other related information.