Identity within the Roman Empire has always been a major issue in archaeological research within the Mediterranean world, since there appears to be a large regional variability in cultural identity...Show moreIdentity within the Roman Empire has always been a major issue in archaeological research within the Mediterranean world, since there appears to be a large regional variability in cultural identity. Burial practices show information on social con-structs and can contribute to the complex issue on identity within the Roman Em-pire. A comparison of the burial practices of the rural cemetery of Vallerano, near Rome – core of the Roman Empire -, and the British Iron Age and Roman cemeteries of Tolpuddle Ball, Fordington Bottom, Watling Street and Bloxham demonstrated that a distinction between two different types of cemeteries can be distinguished. These two cemetery-types consist of cemeteries where Iron Age burial practices remain in use, but also show an influence of Roman burials and cemeteries that re-semble the burial practices of the rural suburbium of Rome. Both types reflect a dif-ferent type of cultural identity, one in which the local Iron Age practices are still strongly visible mixed with Roman characteristics and one in which Roman practices are commonly used.Show less
In this thesis an interdisciplinary approach was used in an investigation on the presentation of Classical Attic funerary sculptures in the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. The Greek...Show moreIn this thesis an interdisciplinary approach was used in an investigation on the presentation of Classical Attic funerary sculptures in the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. The Greek Department of the museum will be reorganised and therefore a new exhibition on the collection should be created. The research question of this thesis focused on the creation of similar, authentic experiences of the funerary markers as visitors of a cemetery would have in Classical times. Each individual chapter provided a different perspective on the realisation of these aims. First, a museological perspective emphasized on the origin of the collection from the Flemish Colonel Rottiers. An archaeological chapter provided amongst others a sociological background on the sculptures, which is important in the overall understanding of the objects. The spatial chapter investigated the capabilities of Space Syntax within museums. Here, a spatial analysis of the new exhibition space was performed. In the last philosophical chapter the aims of the thesis were discussed. These individual chapters all constituted to the formulation of an advice for the museum which was provided in the next chapter. In this advice, an archaeological reconstruction of a peribolos was combined with the spatial results from the Space Syntax analysis. It is hoped that this case study will be useful in the ongoing discussion on the presentation of the past within both archaeology and museum studies and that its interdisciplinary character will inspire other scholars in their research in the presentation of the past in museums and its role for the public.Show less
According to the myth Pan was a goat-footed god, born in Arcadia. The origin of his cult also lies in Arcadia, and was most likely established during the seventh century BC. Within Arcadian...Show moreAccording to the myth Pan was a goat-footed god, born in Arcadia. The origin of his cult also lies in Arcadia, and was most likely established during the seventh century BC. Within Arcadian veneration he was deemed to have a pastoral nature, from which herding and hunting were the most important characteristics. An overarching aspect of fertility emphasized his importance for the reproduction of the flocks, the increase of wild game, and his part in initiation rites of the paides; the Arcadian young males. His cult sites regarded temples and sacred buildings, often in the surroundings of sanctuaries of other deities. The votives consisted mostly of terracotta and bronze figurines. During the early fifth century BC the cult of Pan was established in Attica, where his rural nature was diminished, as it was only still considered important at the country side. Simultaneously, his hunting aspect was converted into a military character. He joined the nymphs in cult, as they were worshiped together in caves, connected through their mythical love affairs, and shared role in the rites de passage of youths. His votives mainly consisted of terracotta and bronze figurines, wine drinking vessels, and marble reliefs. Thus, both cults differ largely from each other, as Pan’s Arcadian veneration was considered an indispensable aspect in everyday life, whereas in Attica his worship was deemed to be of minor importance.Show less
In this thesis I have investigated the possibility that the Athenians used their coins for propagandistic uses of their democratic system. I have researched several aspects of the Athenian coinage...Show moreIn this thesis I have investigated the possibility that the Athenians used their coins for propagandistic uses of their democratic system. I have researched several aspects of the Athenian coinage through different forms of study, such as the growth, spread, what was depicted and the minting regulations. After investigation an analysis was given by applying these outcomes in a propagandistic framework, to see if we can speak of coins as a tool for propaganda.Show less
This thesis has covered many literary sources, some of them dating back to the 17th century, some more recent of date. This was done in order to achieve the research goal and to answer the research...Show moreThis thesis has covered many literary sources, some of them dating back to the 17th century, some more recent of date. This was done in order to achieve the research goal and to answer the research questions. The main goal was to reach the most objective view possible, concerning the origins, history and use, on the catacombs and catacomb research. The research performed on the catacombs in the last 450 years was divided into two main categories. The first concerns all the research performed in the 17th, 18th, 19th and the major part of the 20th century, differing from the second methodological category. These differences are mainly caused by the fact that those earlier researchers did not have the technological means to perform certain investigations, in contradiction with the later researchers who did. Another difference between the two categories is the presence or absence of religious influences. Especially the authors of the early works, some of them written in the time of the Counter Reformation, were professing Christians with close connections with the Catholic Church. Their own believes and religiously founded motivation have distorted their work. Whether the later researchers are religious or not is not clear, but if so, then it has not influenced their work as none of them mention religion. The fact that Jewish catacombs are also a subject of research nowadays indicates that the Catacomb Archaeology has changed (Rutgers et al. 2005, Rutgers et al. 2007). Instead of only focussing on the remains of early Christianity, the horizon has broadened. This also shows through other recent works, the catacombs offer more possibilities than previously thought and can serve both as subject and object of research.Show less
