judaism_and_rome 2026-07-22T00:11:21+02:00 1 187 Inscription https://heurist.huma-num.fr/heurist/?recID=187&db=judaism_and_rome 2022-08-16 23:18:40 2025-07-22 16:56:40 public Perge, metropolis by the emperor-god Tacitus Column crowned with a base on top and slightly damaged on the left and bottom sides. 0276 0276 4577 2157 971c791653d4d355a791916cf9c2a4a77d7de982 perge_tacitus.jpg image/jpeg 357 2022-08-12 11:55:43 Perge, metropolis by the emperor-god Tacitus, 4577, perge_tacitus.jpg (357.93 KB)) https://heurist.huma-num.fr/heurist/?db=judaism_and_rome&file=971c791653d4d355a791916cf9c2a4a77d7de982 Latin Greek 1995 1993 3807 3229 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 <p><span>This inscription contains a metric composition, written in first person not by an individual but by the civic community conforming the </span><em>polis</em><span> of </span><a href="https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/639048">Perge</a><span> in southern Anatolia. The epigraphic format is uncommon and sheds unique light on the internal aspirations and external relations of a political entity under Roman rule in the eastern Mediterranean. Indeed, the messages conveyed by this direct testimony will show the importance of Rome for the formation of provincial urban identities between the high imperial period and the beginning of Late Antiquity.<br /><br /></span></p><p><span>The text is not only composed according to metric standards but also adorned with epic language. We find at the end of the second line, for example, the word αἶα/</span><em>aia</em><span> which corresponded to the more common γαῖα/</span><em>gaia </em><span>(“land”) and was already used in Homer’s </span><em>Iliad </em><span>(e.g. XV.740). Such poetic devices explain the fact that the inscription is presented as a personal narration from the very first verb ἤμην/</span><em>êmên</em><span> (“I was”). Epigrams were common in both Greek and Latin funerary epigraphy, but unusual to convey public messages. However, when the subject of the first sentence affirms that she had previously been the head (κεφαλή/</span><em>kephalê</em><span>) of Pamphylia, we need to interpret this as the collective words of the city of Perge. From the middle of the 3</span>^rd<span> century CE, this community started to display on its coins and inscriptions signs of a fierce competition for primacy against Side, the other main urban centre of this region in southern Asia Minor (see Nollé, “Die feindlichen Schwestern”). This rivalry attested earlier in the province of Asia (see e.g. Ephesus </span><em>neokoria </em><span>and Hadrian’s visit) was mostly based on titulature which needed to be granted by the Roman emperors (see Heller, </span><em>Les bêtises</em><span>; Guerber, </span><em>Les cités grecques</em><span>). Perge at the beginning of its poem is contrasting the unofficial condition of “head” of the region with the official title of μητρόπολις/</span><em>mêtropolis </em><span>after it had been sanctioned by Tacitus, a ruler equated to Zeus (l. 3). The remaining lines add more titles and statuses that would demonstrate Perge’s pre-eminence, comparing former grants with the new and unequivocal supreme rank finally achieved. The word κορυφή/</span><em>koryphê</em><span> means “top” and it is obviously related to prominence too. One of the renowned kings (βασιλεῖς/</span><em>basileis</em><span>) – perhaps unnamed because his actions were condemned by </span><em>damnatio memoriae</em><span> – referred to Perge in such a way, a city that because of Tacitus could be compared to Ephesus, the mother (μήτηρ/</span><em>mêtêr</em><span>) of Asia. Artemis was the patron goddess of two </span><em>metropoleis </em><span>with inviolable sanctuaries (cf. Aurelia Paulina) that even expressed cordial relations through their coinage (Franke and Nollé, </span><em>Homonia</em><span>, p. 170-171). Πραικίπουα/</span><em>praikipoua</em><span> is a Greek rendering of the Latin term for “capital” and Perge attributes this condition to another anonymous king who had been surpassed by Tacitus’ authorisation (νεῦμα/</span><em>neuma</em><span>). The only other identifiable ruler in the inscription was Caracalla, called among the many possible Antoninus ), the one son of Severus (l. 15). He had granted the title of friend and ally (φίλη καὶ σύμμαχος = </span><em>amica sociaque</em><span>) which privileged cities, such as Aphrodisias, Chios or Termessos, proudly displayed in their distinguished relations with Rome. Finally, by virtue of the new metropolitan rank, the Pamphylians gathered in Perge for a common sacrifice known as </span><em>synthysia </em><span>(see Weiss, “Auxe Perge,” p. 368-375), and the high-priests (ἀρχιερεῖς/</span><em>archiereis</em><span>) of the imperial cult were devoted to the god (θεός/</span><em>theos</em><span>) Tacitus.  <br /><br /></span></p><p><span>Such a celebration of the emperor Tacitus would probably surprise modern students of Roman History. After all, his reign was most famous for the fact that it only lasted several months between 275 and 276 CE. Ancient accounts do not celebrate this short-lived ruler unlike his predecessors Aurelian and Claudius II. One had brought to an end both the Palmyrean and Gallic usurpations (see Watson,</span><em> Aurelian</em><span>). The second received the triumphal title of </span><em>Gothicus Maximus </em><span>for his victories against the transdanubian peoples who ravaged the Balkan and Aegean areas in the mid-3</span>^rd<span> century (see Peachin, </span><em>Roman Imperial Titulature</em><span>, p. 86-92). Despite these signs of general recovery, not all the threats were subdued and the old senator Tacitus needed to launch a new eastern campaign soon after his obscure accession (</span><em>HA</em><span>, </span><em>Tacitus</em><span> 15.1 vs. Zonaras XII.28). While it is clear that this emperor spent time on the Anatolian peninsula, his itinerary cannot be established due to the lack of sources (see Halfmann, </span><em>Itinera,</em><span> p. 240). On the basis of coins probably representing an imperial </span><em>adventus</em><span>, scholars have argued that Tacitus visited Perge (Merkelbach, Şahin, Stauber, “Kaiser Tacitus”), and even made the city a sort of imperial capital (Kaygusuz, “Perge unter Kaiser Tacitus”). Although our inscription just confirms that the emperor granted the metropolitan status, this could be interpreted as a reward for local loyalty and support. Such a choice would indeed not be accidental. With the Goths plundering western Asian Minor and the Sassanids attacking Syria, the secluded plain of Pamphylia became one of few territories from which Roman power could be sustained and the imperial army supplied in the East. Following the model attested during the Severan period in Cilicia, the Roman emperors prodigally gifted titles to the Pamphylian centres which started the aforementioned competition for primacy. Tacitus’ grant finally settled the dispute in favour of Perge and the subsequent celebration of his actions must be understood in terms of reciprocity between provincial aspirations and imperial rewards. Within this collaboration, Perge became the last city in the eastern Mediterranean to mint its own bronze coinage (see Leschhorn, “Le monnayage impériale,” p. 256). Likewise, epigraphic production flourished in a period during which most territories in the Roman Empire remained virtually silent. Our metrical text was therefore a result of the particular circumstances of Pamphylia after the 250’s when civic life managed to survive despite the exceptional weakness of Roman power. Another inscription carved on a column next to the poem even encouraged the citizens of Perge to raise (αὖξε/</span><em>auxe</em><span>) with an acclamation commending not only the new metropolitan status, but also the presence of imperial troops, a silver mint and an assize centre (see Roueché, “Floreat Perge”). On the same street, graffiti commemorated a new sacred and international agonistic festival, the Τακίτ(ε)ιος μητροπολίτ(ε)ιος ἰσοκαπετώλιος (</span><em>I.Perge </em><span>333-337). In other words, the people of Perge continued to celebrate the achievement of elements deriving from Roman rule which had been highly contested during the high-imperial period as illustrated, for example, by the petition from Berenike, or the embassies of Balboura and the Demostheneia festival. The remarkable inscription of Perge under Tacitus is consequently important for illustrating that provincial mentality supported by Roman rule was not completely transformed before the arrival of the Tetrarchy and the beginning of Late Antiquity.</span></p> Perge Pamphylia Asia Minor Tacitus metropolis titulature imperial cult local rivalry Roman rule crisis of the third century coinage agonistic culture agonistic festivals assize Roman army Roman authority In-situ. Aksu (Turkey) Not provided by the editors 209 centimetres high, 46 centimetres wide, 46 centimetres thick. Letter forms are between 2.5 and 3 centimetres tall. 3rd CE 5832 On a street north of the Perge macellum, commonly known as Tacitus’ Street. On a street north of the Perge macellum, commonly known as Tacitus? Street. 241 265 317 159 121 161 170 166 867 226 248 132 144 215 Roman Greek I.Perge 331 [SEG 47.1788] No <p>This edition is based on Şahin, Sencer,<em> Die Inschriften von Perge, </em>Bonn: Rudolf Habelt, 2004, p. 52-53, p. 331.</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">ἤμην μὲν πρόσθεν κεφαλὴ</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">Παμφυλίδος αἴης·</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">Ζηνὸς δ’ ἐκ Τακίτου</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">μητρόπολις γέγονα·</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left">5</div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">εἶπέ με τις κορυφὴν πόλεων</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">κλεινῶν βασιλήων,</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">νῦν δ’ ἐφάνην μήτη[ρ]</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">ὡς Ἀσίης Ἔφεσος·</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">π̣ρ̣αικίπουάν μέ τις εἴπεν</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left">10</div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">ἐρισθενέων βασιλήων·</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">μητρόπολις δ’ ἐφάνην</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">νεύμασι τοῖς Τακίτου·</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">Ἀντωνεῖνος ἔφη με φίλην</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">καὶ σύμμαχον εἶναι</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left">15</div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">κεῖνος ὃ Σευήρου, νῦν δὲ</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">γὲ μητρόπολιν·</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">[θύ]ο̣υσιν παρ’ ἐμοὶ οὐώ[τοις]</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">[Π]ά̣μ̣φυλοι ἅπαντες·</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">νῦν δὲ καὶ ἀρχιερεῖς εἰσὶν</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="34"> <div align="left">20</div> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> <div align="left">θεοῦ Τακίτου.</div> </td> </tr></tbody></table> <p style="text-align: justify;">The translation is my own.<br /><br />I was previously head of the Pamphylian land, but now thanks to Zeus Tacitus I have become a metropolis. One of the very famous rulers called me head of the cities, but now I resemble a mother (city) like Ephesus of Asia. One of the very mighty kings called me capital, but (now) I look like a metropolis with the sanction of Tacitus. Antoninus, the one (son) of Severus, said that I was friend and ally, but now all the Pamphylians indeed call me metropolis in the sacrifices (performed) here. Now, the high-priests belong to the god Tacitus.</p> Translation by author of the database record Yes The city of Perge in southern Anatolia celebrates its new title of metropolis after the exceptional grant of the emperor Tacitus, worshipped as a god. κεφαλή Ζεύς Τάκιτος μητρόπολις βασιλεύς Ἔφεσος μήτηρ νεῦμα κορυφή φίλος σύμμαχος ἀρχιερεύς θεός Aitor Blanco Pérez English Metrical Yes 867 121 144 159 161 166 215 226 241 248 265 317 169 170 1