Seminar: Aphrodisias and Rome
Preparation for all students:
Read the inscriptions attached and make notes on what they tell us, particular on the
following questions:
What do they tell us about relations between Aphrodisias and Rome? How did the Aphrodisians relate to Rome?
Why might Aphrodisias have been so favourable to Rome?
What is the significance of 'Venus Genetrix' in the final inscription?
To answer these, look also at Appian, Civil War (Bellum Civile) 1.97, and the article by J. M.
Reynolds in Proceedings of Cambridge Philological Society 106 (N .S. 26) (1980) 70-84. (This discusses a number of the inscriptions given to you. She does not translate the inscriptions here, but does give the references to their Aphrodisias and Rome numbers).
Also, familarise yourself with the Sebasteion complex by looking at the website:
(if the link doesn't work, go first to and then click on Aphrodisias). Once within the site, click on Sebasteion and follow the links to see photos and general information on the site.
Presentation: the Sebasteion of Aphrodisias
Concentrate on giving an overview of the complex -date, patrons, layout of decoration, etc.
Then think about the message of the sculptural display- what does this say about the role of the imperial family in Aphrodisias, and Aphrodisias' own position within the empire?
Divide the work so that one of you focuses on propylon and north portico, the other on south and temple.
Remember to show pictures of the site, preferably on powerpoint. There are some on the Art and Architecture CD in box in office – sign out in usual way and you can find others on the internet and in articles below.
Bibliography:
The main publication is R. R. R. Smith, The marble reliefs from the Julio-Claudian Sebasteion (2013) but his shorter articles are also very useful to give an overview of the monument and its decoration. *R. R. R. Smith, 'The imperial reliefs from the Sebasteion at Aphrodisias', Journal of Roman Studies 77 (1987) 88-138- crucial initial publication, must be read!
R. R. R. Smith, 'Simulacra gentium: the ethne from the Sebasteion at Aphrodisias', Journal of Roman Studies 78 (1988) 50-77. – re north portico
R. R. R. Smith, 'Myth and Allegory in the Sebasteion' in C Roueche & K. T. Erim eds., Aphrodisias Papers (Ann Arbor, 1990) 89-100 – re north and south porticoes
(NB JRS available via JSTOR)
See also the web site (as above).
Aphrodisias Inscriptions
All translations follow those in J. M. Reynolds, Aphrodisias and Rome (London, 1982). They can also be found online at The number used there is referred to here as IAph. Do have a look at the website, which includes useful information on where the inscriptions were set up, and images.
To contextualise the inscriptions and clarify any details, see the discussions on them in Reynolds (1982) and the two books by Sherk. These are indicated below by the following abbreviations:
Sherk, R. K., Rome and the Greek East to the Death of Augustus (1984) = Sherk I
Sherk, R. H., The Roman Empire: Augustus to Hadrian (1988) = Sherk II
1) = Reynolds (1982) Document 1, IAph 8.210
Marble altar, inscribed on face, found re-used in Aphrodisias theatre. Probably 125-100 BC
‘To Zeus Philios, Concord and Dea Roma; (dedicated by) the Peoples of Plarasa/Aphrodisias, of Cibyra and of Tabae who have taken oaths over newly-burnt offerings and made blood-offerings for their natural alliance, eternal concord and brotherhood with each other; and in order that they shall take no action in opposition either to the Romans or to each other and that no one shall draft, advocate, introduce a proposal or record anything contrary to what has been written in the sworn agreements; and that anyone who does anything in contravention of these shall be utterly destroyed, himself and his family, liable to a capital penalty and open to prosecution by anyone who wishes and in accordance with their common agreements, and that they shall jointly promote each other’s advantage in every possible way, unreservedly; and that they shall observe what has been agreed.’
2) = Reynolds (1982) Document 2; Sherk I, 59a; IAph 8.3
Engraved on metope and frieze of Aphrodisias theatre (reinscribed in 2nd Century AD, but originally relating to events c. 88 BC)
‘Decision of the Council and the People (? proposed by the magistrates), by Pereitas son of (?, grandson) of Antiochos, Secretary to the People and by Attalus, son of Menander, General in charge of the territory.
Since Quintus Oppius, son of Quintus, Roman praetor with proconsular power, has sent (a message) that Laodicea and he himself are under siege and since the People decided that they should help him in force and that the paroiloi and slaves should march out with them and has also chosen in the assembly a man for their leader and it is necessary to despatch ambassadors too, to inform the proconsul of the policy of our People towards the Romans who are saviours and benefactors, and, if the governor gives any other instruction for the city, to arrange that it is passed on clearly and carried out, the People decided to elect as ambassadors men from among those who are honoured and hold trust and are well disposed towards the Romans, who shall go to Quintus Oppius the proconsul and inform him of the policy of our People towards him and all Romans and shall report that we have not only decided to fight alongside him in force but have also chosen a man to command this auxiliary unit, Artemidorus the stephanephoros, a man of those who are honoured and hold trust, and one distinguished in military excellence, and they shall inform him that our whole People, together with our wives and children and all our property (?) is ready (?) to risk all for Quintus and the Roman cause: and that without the rule of the Romans we do not choose even to live.’
3) = Reynolds (1982) Document 3; Sherk I, 59b; IAph 8.2
Inscribed on a pilaster in Aphrodisias theatre (reinscribed in 2nd Century AD, but originally dating after 85 BC).
‘Quintus Oppius, son of Quintus, proconsul of the Romans, praetor, sends greetings to the Magistrates, Council and People of Plarasa/Aphrodisias.
…] Antipatrus, son of [? Adra]stus , Pereitas son of Apollo[nius], Artemidorus son of Myon, Dionysius son of Menis, Timocles son of Zenon, your ambassadors, fine and good men, met me in Cos, congratulated me and gave me the decree in which it was reported that you are very much pleased at my presence – as I certainly believe, in view of your good intentions towards myself and our public affairs; for on the occasion when I wrote to you from Laodicea that you should send me soldiers, you were among the first to send them and your conduct was exactly what was due from good allies and friends of the Roman people; and I made use of the fine and unstinted activity of the ambassadors whom you sent. For these reasons I am taking care, both as a magistrate and in a private capacity (?), to do whatever I can, while preserving my good faith, to help you and your public affairs, and always to procure your advantage; and shall see to it that whenever I am in Rome I make clear to the Senate and People the things (which) have been done on your part. The same ambassadors begged that you too should be allowed to enjoy my patronage. I accepted them because of my regard for your city and undertook the position of patron of your People.’
4) = Reynolds (1982) Document 5; Sherk 65; IAph 2.503
From Aphrodisias, in Byzantine fill between bishop’s palace and odeon. A decree of the Koinon of Asia, between 85 and 48 BC. Only first part reproduced here
‘[Decision of the Koinon; proposal] of the presidents and the secretary. Since, in view of the fact that the cities [ and the nations are oppressed ?everywhere] by the publicani and the […?…] that have come into being, and [have been reduced] to the utmost despair at the hands of some, the koinon of the Greeks met and unanimously decided [? At a special session] in the city of Ephesus, to send ambassadors to [the Senate and] magistrates, chosen from among the men of first rank and the most highly honoured, to [?report to them] concerning the aforesaid maters and the other [?affairs of the koinon] and to beg them to assist and [? protect] the province [which is being ruined]; and given that among the ambassadors chosen were [Dionysius and Hier]ocles, sons of Jason the son of Scymnus, Aphrodisians, who also [exercised] citizenship in Tralles, who were not in residence [?there], the presidents sent a letter [about these men] to the people of Aphrodisias and about their selection [to go as ambassadors] for the common good of the Greeks, [among whom] they had a reputation for excellence and glory, as the detailed [testimonials] in the letter despatched on account of them make clear’ etc
(awarded gold crowns and statues for their courage and success in embassy to Rome).
5) = Reynolds (1982) Document 6; Sherk I, 87; IAph 8.25
Inscribed on stone later re-used in city wall, originally from archive wall of theatre, Aphrodisias. Written c. 38 BC.
[? Imperator Caesar, son of divus Julius, designated consul] for the second and [the third] time, (one) of the Tresviri Reipublicae Constituendae, to the Magistrates, Council and People of the Plarasans and Aphrodisians, greetings. If you are well it would be good; I too am in good health, together with the army. Solon, son of Demetrias, your ambassador, who has taken the greatest care over the business of your city, has not only been satisfied by the administrative arrangements that have been made but has also urged us to send you from the public records these copies of the edict, the senatus consultum, the treaty and the law that relate to you. For this I praised him the more, held him as one of my acquaintances and gave him the appropriate privileges, thinking him deserving of honour from us, and I congratulate you on the possession of such a citizen. The copies of the privileges that relate to you are these that are subjoined: I wish you to register them among your public records. Letters of Caesar.
6) = Reynolds (1982) Document 13; Sherk II, 3; IAph 8.32
Inscribed on archive wall, Aphrodisias theatre (in late second/third century AD) Letter dates to c. 38 BC or 27 BC? (see discussion in Reynolds and Sherk).
‘Imperator Caesar Augustus, son of divus Juilius, wrote to the Samians underneath their peition:
You yourselves can see that I have given the privilege of freedon to no people except the Aphrodisians, who took my side in the war and were captured by storm because of their devotion to us. For it is not right to give the favour of the greatest privilege of all at random and without cause. I am well-disposed to you and should like to do a favour to my wife who is active in your behalf, but not to the point of breaking my custom. For I am not concerned for the money which you pay towards the tribute, but I am not willing to give the most highly prized privileges to anyone without good cause.’
7) = Reynolds (1982) Document 14; IAph 8.33
Inscribed on archive wall of Aphrodisias theatre, reply from Trajan to Smyrna
‘Imperator Caesar Trajanus to the Smyrnaeotes. I wish no one from the free cities to be forced into (performing) your liturgy, and especially no one from Aphrodisias, sicne that city has been removed from the formula provinciae so that it is not liable either to the common liturgies of Asia or to others. I release Tiberius Julianus Attalus from (performance of a liturgy in) the temple in Smyrna; (he is) a man who has the highest testimonials from his own city; and I have written about these matters to Julius Balbus, my friend and the proconsul’
Compare a similar letter from Hadrian (= Reynolds (1983) 15)
8) = Reynolds (1982) Document 54; IAph 12.305
Inscribed on a block, later re-used in city wall. Probably 1st century AD
‘To the divinity of the Emperors, the goddess Venus Genetrix (in greek: Aphrodite Geneteira), the Senate and the People of Rome, the citizens, in gratitude, Marcus Iulius Attalus, freedman of Caesar’