Changing Identities in the Oecumene: Geography and Architecture in the Greco-Roman World

A groundbreaking study establishes a direct link between the symbolism of Roman architecture and the geography of empire, revealing how territorial expansion shaped identity constructs. By applying the Greek concept of 'oecumene' (known world), the research demonstrates that Roman identity was fluid and influenced by conquest, as exemplified in Trajan’s Forum and the Pantheon. The study uniquely bridges ancient and contemporary perspectives, questioning how globalization's expectations of boundless communication zones affect spatial/geographical identity understanding. This work synthesizes insights from architecture, geography, and ritual, drawing on extensive research, including a Rome Scholar project and a Paul Mellon Rome Fellowship.

Bandyopadhyay, S., & Garma Montiel, G. (Eds.). (2013). The Territories of Identity. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315881492