Memory, Commemoration & Identity in an Ancient City: The Case of Aphrodisias

Aphrodisias, an ancient Greek city in Asia Minor, offers a unique lens to study the evolution of memory and identity from the late second century BCE to the seventh century CE. The research reveals how civic, social, and religious identities were dynamically expressed through inscriptions, images, and name changes, reflecting responses to historical shifts such as Roman contact, competition with other cities, and the rise of Christianity. Memory played a pivotal role in shaping collective identity, particularly through war narratives and foundation legends, while elite benefactors and intellectuals influenced its transmission. In late antiquity, religious symbols and acclamations became central to expressing competing identities amid growing religious conflicts. The study leverages extensive epigraphic and visual sources to trace these processes, highlighting the adaptive nature of identity in response to changing contexts.

Chaniotis, A. (2016). Memory, Commemoration & Identity in an Ancient City: The Case of Aphrodisias. Daedalus, 145(2), 88–100. https://doi.org/10.1162/daed_a_00379