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
Domesticity, its definition and its patterning have continually evolved and changed, to the extent that our modern perception of what constitutes a home, and our perceptions of ‘public’ and ...Show moreDomesticity, its definition and its patterning have continually evolved and changed, to the extent that our modern perception of what constitutes a home, and our perceptions of ‘public’ and ‘private’ are drastically different from what existed in ancient society. This is even more applicable for Ancient Greece and Rome, two civilizations which had a significant impact on the majority of the Old World. Despite this, few studies have undertaken an effective comparison of houses in these two civilizations, and what similarities and contrasts would have existed. This thesis will focus on this issue, specifically targeting two of the best known cities in the Hellenic and Roman periods; namely that of Pompeii and Olynthos. Architecture should, as archaeological research has shown for Greece and Rome retrospectively, reflect the values upheld in society and transmit the ethos of the wider community. For Olynthos, the idea of ‘Isonomia’ should be visible within households, the notion that all members of Greek society were of similar status and of equal importance. Conversely at Pompeii, the concept of ‘Luxuria’ – or rather social status and wealth – was important, thus a stratified system of housing disparity should be witnessed to reflect this. I will target block A vii for Olynthos and Insula of the Menander for Pompeii, two representative and well preserved areas with multiple phases of building history, to carry out this study; in this way a clusters of habitation can be compared. In doing so, this thesis will attempt to investigate the relationship between social contemporary concepts and one specific physical representation of this societies, i.e. domestic architecture.Show less
According to myth Demeter was a daughter of the Titans Kronos and Rhea. This parentage made her sister to Zeus, with whom she had a daughter known by the name of Persephone. Being part of the...Show moreAccording to myth Demeter was a daughter of the Titans Kronos and Rhea. This parentage made her sister to Zeus, with whom she had a daughter known by the name of Persephone. Being part of the Olympian deities, Demeter fulfilled a significant role within the pantheon of a great many Greek poleis. During the seventh century BC she received a cult place on the acropolis of Kórinthos, which she shared with the divinities Persephone and Dionysos, for she was associated with them in cult. Spread over three terraces, the sanctuary accommodated dining rooms, a courtyard, and a theatrical area. This place became the focus of Demeter’s Korinthian public cult. The sanctuary was visited during a variety of festivities, including agricultural festivals and initiations within a local mystery cult. Amongst these celebrations some were only to be attended by women. Venerators would grant many votives to the goddess, including, but not limited to, terracotta figurines, wine-and water utensils, and offering trays. Most of these dedications were set in the context of fertility, which was considered Demeter’s very core, and therefore the base of her elements concerning agriculture, chthonic, and female identity. Demeter was venerated in the Magna Graecia as well. During the mid-sixth century BC several sanctuaries were erected at the Sicilian Greek polis Akrágas, of which one was provided with monumentalised architecture. Sharing worship with Persephone, who was assigned primary significance within mystery cults and female identity, Demeter’s core element was limited to earthly fecundity. This is reflected by most of the votive material she received, for the objects mainly concerned eating- and drinking vessels and terracottas. Within Korinthian cult Demeter was deemed to provide earthly fertility and the knowledge of the cultivation of grain. Additionally, her association with female identity connected her to fecundity of women, which was necessary for securing the existence of the following generations. Therefore, Demeter was considered partly responsible for the very survival of the polis. However, in Akrágas she was merely honoured as an agricultural deity, for her other elements were assigned to Persephone, thus decreasing Demeter’s social significance within society.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
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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The focal point of this thesis is the relationship between women and jewellery in the Roman Empire. This relationship is surrounded by positive and negative values, e.g. the responses of ancient...Show moreThe focal point of this thesis is the relationship between women and jewellery in the Roman Empire. This relationship is surrounded by positive and negative values, e.g. the responses of ancient authors range from more positive comments to extreme criticism. The central research question was: What social norms, relations and values does jewellery signify regarding women in the Roman Empire? The central aim is to differentiate and investigate the social norms, relations and values that were associated with the relationship between women and jewellery. In order to do this, jewellery finds and sculptural representations of jewellery from Rome (defined as core) and Palmyra (defined as periphery) in the first two centuries AD were studied. These two categories of evidence were analysed separately per region and then compared. Comparative investigation of the material in both regions increases understanding of the signifying function of jewellery with regard to the prevailing social norms. In visual culture other values, social norms and relations come forward than in the jewellery finds. Four central aspects regarding the finds and representations were focused on: types of jewellery, context, social position of the owner/portrayed, and the expression of gender. These aspects followed from the framework that was developed to study the relationship between women and jewellery, which included the concepts gender, sculptural representations and core-periphery. The research problem this study intended to solve was that archaeological evidence has been rather neglected in the study of women and jewellery. The systematic quantitative and qualitative analyses of the jewellery finds and sculptural representations of jewellery from Rome and Palmyra, attempted here for the first time on exemplary sample sets, as well as the comparison between them, have brought new insights to this field of study.Show less
The subject of this research is a ceiling painting in a corridor of 27 meter long in the Domus Augustana on the Palatine Hill in Rome, Italy. The style of the ceiling painting is linear decoration,...Show moreThe subject of this research is a ceiling painting in a corridor of 27 meter long in the Domus Augustana on the Palatine Hill in Rome, Italy. The style of the ceiling painting is linear decoration, based on its geometrical design, colour scale, while missing the architectural elements visible in other styles. The painting has been dated to the Post Severan period (235-285 AD). This type of style is often found in minor rooms of a building. Unfortunately little research has been done on ceiling painting of the 2nd and 3rd centuries and no similar painting has been found. The walls of the corridor are decorated with marble slabs of type 1 decoration style often found in minor rooms. The date of the marble decoration is the reign of Hadrian. While the walls itself are constructed in different phases, mainly in the reign of Nero and early Flavian period. Out of the space syntax analyses with JASS and Depth Map could also be concluded that the corridor is a minor room in the Domus Augustana. The corridor gave access to a group of rooms which have a secluded character, which were probably used for small banquets and other meetings.Show less
Several scholars argue that the ‘order’ of the Vestal virgins (the Vestales) can be compared to the class of matronae, because they are presumed to wear the same clothing and their social role is...Show moreSeveral scholars argue that the ‘order’ of the Vestal virgins (the Vestales) can be compared to the class of matronae, because they are presumed to wear the same clothing and their social role is similar. In this study, the comparison between the two groups is critically examined and the exact differences and similarities are discussed. Investigating second and early third-century Vestal statues from the Atrium Vestae in the Roman Forum, comparing them to statues of matronae from the same periods but different contexts, I demonstrate that the Vestales have been perceived by the Romans as a separate group, clearly distinguishable from matronae. Differences in details such as hairstyle, standing position, facial expression, and the interaction with the viewer show that Vestales and matronae are not the same. Some Vestales are more matrona-like than others, and the expected characteristics of matronae perhaps need to be redefined. Furthermore, the four points of comparison in which the two classes of women differ are precisely those that can be used for display of self-representation. Thus, matronae are proven to be more concerned with this than Vestales. Moreover, it is argued that the scholars that made the comparison between the two female groups have been subjected to gender influence. In conclusion, the comparison an sich is perhaps less useful with respect to the fact that Vestales need to be examined in relation to their religious group, whereas matronae should be regarded as part of a secular social context.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
Research into the perception of monumentality in the Roman Empire has so far only concentrated on the monuments itself. The aim of this thesis is to show the necessity to shift the focus from the...Show moreResearch into the perception of monumentality in the Roman Empire has so far only concentrated on the monuments itself. The aim of this thesis is to show the necessity to shift the focus from the actual monument to its surroundings. Phenomenological research methods have been introduced in archaeology over the last couple of decades to analyse experience, but due to their imbeddedness in the post-processual theoretical framework they concentrate on the personal experience rather than on the common perception. However, other spatial analyses like those introduced by Space Syntax provide the necessary methods to analyse the general perception of space, but these analyses require detailed knowledge of the ancient urban environment which are often not preserved in the archaeological record. Therefore, other techniques have to be used to complement these analyses, like the concept of ‘armature’. In this way it seems possible to analyse the general perception of a monument based on an analysis of its relation with the surroundings.Show less
