Humanities and Arts
Political Authority and Local Agency: Cilicia Pedias and Syria between the Seleucid Empire and the Roman Republic
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Bradley Jordan
Abstract
This paper aims to show how local civic communities, nominally subject to the Seleucid dynasts, integrated Roman magistrates into an existing framework of authority during the late second and early first centuries BCE. I argue that as Roman magistrates played an increasingly significant role in the region, cities initially framed them in quasi-regal terms, which their interlocutors consciously accepted. Through a close reading of two Roman letters to the Cilician city of Mopsuestia, dated to 87 BCE (SEG 44.1227), and analysis of literary, epigraphic, and numismatic evidence for the final collapse of Seleucid authority in the early 60s BCE, I reveal that this was a locally driven process. Consequently, local agents played a critical role in both legitimising Roman hegemony in local contexts and encouraging Roman intervention within the region.
Key Questions
What is the main focus of this paper?
The paper examines how local civic communities in the Seleucid Empire integrated Roman magistrates into their existing frameworks of authority during the late second and early first centuries BCE. It highlights the role of local agents in legitimizing Roman hegemony and encouraging Roman intervention in the region.
How did local communities frame Roman magistrates?
Local communities initially framed Roman magistrates in quasi-regal terms, treating them as figures of authority similar to Seleucid dynasts. This framing was consciously accepted by Roman magistrates, facilitating their integration into local power structures.
What evidence does the paper analyze?
The paper analyzes two Roman letters to the Cilician city of Mopsuestia (dated to 87 BCE), along with literary, epigraphic, and numismatic evidence. These sources reveal the gradual collapse of Seleucid authority and the rise of Roman influence in the region.
What role did local agents play in legitimizing Roman hegemony?
Local agents played a critical role in legitimizing Roman hegemony by integrating Roman magistrates into existing frameworks of authority. They also encouraged Roman intervention, which helped stabilize the region during the decline of Seleucid power.
How did the collapse of Seleucid authority impact the region?
The collapse of Seleucid authority created a power vacuum that local communities sought to fill by aligning with Roman magistrates. This transition was locally driven and marked by the gradual acceptance of Roman hegemony.
What does the analysis of Roman letters to Mopsuestia reveal?
The analysis of the Roman letters to Mopsuestia reveals how local communities negotiated with Roman magistrates and framed them as authoritative figures. This process highlights the agency of local actors in shaping the region's political landscape.
How does the paper contribute to our understanding of Roman-Seleucid relations?
The paper provides a nuanced perspective on Roman-Seleucid relations by emphasizing the role of local communities in facilitating the transition from Seleucid to Roman authority. It challenges top-down narratives and highlights the importance of local agency.
What is the significance of the quasi-regal framing of Roman magistrates?
The quasi-regal framing of Roman magistrates reflects the adaptability of local communities in integrating new forms of authority. It also demonstrates how Roman magistrates were perceived and legitimized within local contexts.
How does the paper address the concept of local agency?
The paper emphasizes the active role of local agents in shaping political transitions. It argues that the integration of Roman magistrates and the encouragement of Roman intervention were locally driven processes.
What broader implications does this study have for understanding ancient empires?
The study highlights the importance of local agency in the dynamics of ancient empires. It shows how local communities could influence and shape the policies and actions of larger imperial powers, offering a more complex understanding of imperial interactions.
