Approaches and responses to mobility in the ancient Adriatic, c. 500–220 BC

Thesis

The main hypothesis of this thesis is that mobility – the potential or ability of oneself or others to move – played a real role in the lives, attitudes, and decisions of Greeks. In the ancient world, individuals and communities approached mobility by contending with its opportunities, risks, and constraints, and responded to mobility as it changed and fluctuated. These approaches and responses may be social, cultural, or political and not only practical, economic, or strategic. I test this hypothesis in the context of four different case studies concerning the Adriatic region, demonstrating in the process the utility of mobility as an exploratory tool for ancient historians. The case studies in question are arranged roughly in chronological order and cover a range of different approaches and responses to mobility across a period spanning the foundation of Etruscan Spina in the 6th century BC to the beginning of more regular Roman engagement with the eastern Adriatic towards the end of the 3rd century BC. To that end, Ch. I examines the economic and cultural implications of mobility – and how to find it – at Spina; Ch. II studies the impact of colonial mobility on social structures and hierarchies on the Dalmatian islands; Ch. III draws out the relationship between politics and mobility at late Classical Athens; and Ch. IV considers how thinking about approaches and responses to mobility might help us to understand the Roman involvement on the eastern coast.

Authors: Etches Jones, D

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-zbonbpwox
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: inscriptions; mobility; Adriatic
• Subjects: History, Ancient; History