EXC 2060 A3-13 - “Euphrates, Protective Shield?” – Religious Diversity and Cultural Identity in the Roman Middle East Between Tradition and Construction
- Period
- -
- Status
- Ongoing
- Funding Source
- DFG - Cluster of Excellence
- Project Number
- EXC 2060/1
Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics"
Johannisstr. 1, room 010
48143 Münster
T: +49 251 83-23482
julia.arnkens@uni-muenster.de
Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics"
Johannisstr. 1,
48143 Münster
T: +49 251 83-24901
F: +49 251 83-24902
ewinter@uni-muenster.de
From the second century BCE until the third century CE, Upper Mesopotamia was the scene of military and political confrontation, economic interaction and cultural exchange between the eastwards expanding Roman Empire and the Parthian/Arsacid Empire as it expanded towards the west. These circumstances provide an interesting backdrop for a study of local cults and the development of religious beliefs in a culturally diverse region. Archaeological remains, coinage, inscriptions and literary descriptions offer glimpses into the religious life of the area during this period.
In the course of my research, I am compiling the archaeological, numismatic, epigraphic and literary evidence of cultic activities from both cities and rural areas in Upper Mesopotamia in order to analyse the attested cults in their archaeological and historical context. The aim of this analysis is to provide an overview of cult places, worshipped deities, religious structures and prevailing beliefs where possible. Such an overview opens up the possibility to trace influences, regional differences and shared characteristics within the area under investigation and thereby outline the character of the religious landscape of Upper Mesopotamia.