The Population of Laodicea ad Mare in Roman Times: The Structure and Vectors of Development

Abstract

This article considers the social structure of Laodicea ad Mare between the second half of the 1st century A.D. and the 4th century A.D., i.e., from the beginning of the Roman rule in Syria to the time before the Islamic conquest of the region. The study relies primarily on data from epigraphic writings (such as tomb inscriptions, dedicatory texts, and signatures), as well as on narrative materials and the corpus of Roman law, which are used as additional sources. The evolution of the family institution and the property relations within Laodicean families is analyzed. A portrait of the free citizens of Laodicea who were engaged in handicrafts, especially in the textile industry, is compiled. The life of the city’s rabble is traced. The status, structure, and financial capabilities of the propertied aristocracy are described. Its impact on public life is discussed. Information is provided about the residence of Roman citizens in Laodicea and their activities and influence on the civic community of the city. The results obtained show that the social processes in Laodicea correspond to the basic trends of urban development in Late Antiquity and that this was the period when the social conflict within the Laodicean community intensified. The findings may be useful for students of history faculties and for researchers interested in the history of the Roman Empire and the Near East in Antiquity.