Conclusions and Future Directions

Abstract

Abstract This concluding chapter draws together some of the themes explored by the proceeding chapters and identifies avenues for further research. In particular, it shows how different chapters explore the ways in which material culture places individuals or cities within a social network, underlining the connections between particular groups, or setting up dialogues of conversation or competition. While some of the chapters show the central role played by the emperor and his interactions with different groups, such as victorious athletes, guilds and individual cities, others reveal how material culture helped to set up networks of collaboration or rivalry between individuals, cities or groups. Another key theme is the way in which material culture helps to fix ephemeral events into communal memory and to create particular visions of civic identity. Finally, the chapter explores how material culture can help to create emotional communities and also to frame and create ritual experience. All of these themes are set into a wider context, drawing parallels with research into other areas of the roman empire, and identifying areas for further future research.