Diversity and conformity of cult places in Roman Republican colonies

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Marion Bolder-Boos
• Subject Area: Classical, Roman, Christian and Islamic Archaeology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 525355283

The proposed research project will map and analyze the sacred landscape of Roman colonies (of Latin and Citizen status) in Republican Italy through an investigation of cult places. It aims to compile the cults and sanctuaries that can be found in Roman colonies and their cultic contexts in order to identify possible patterns of activity regarding the establishment and use of cult places in the colonies during the Roman expansion in Italy. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between the Roman colonists and the indigenous peoples surrounding the new foundations. The research project focuses on the following questions: 1.) Which cult places can be found in Roman colonies, which were of pre-Roman origin and which were established by the colonists? 2.) How did the cult places develop over the course of time, were there differences between sanctuaries established by the colonists themselves and those the colonists had adopted from indigenous peoples? 3.) Can regional or even trans-regional patterns be discerned regarding the establishment and use of sanctuaries? The results of the investigation of the individual sites will be brought together and interpreted in a comparatistic analysis.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants