Roman Baths at Antiochia ad Cragum: A Preliminary Evaluation of Bath Architecture as Costly Signals in the Ancient Mediterranean

Summary

In the province of Rough Cilicia, monumental public architecture was built in the initial phase of the social and political incorporation of southern Asia Minor into the Roman Empire during the early Imperial Period. This analysis focuses on two monumental baths at the site of Antiochia ad Cragum, located in modern day southern Turkey, and also implicates the monumental bath phenomena throughout southern Asia Minor. Multi-level signaling theory is utilized in this study to understand the spatial, temporal, and formal appearance of bath architecture. I highlight how monumental bath architecture was used by individuals to maintain their status within society and tie their power with that of Roman elites. I argue that it was also used by the cities to signal their allegiance to the Roman Empire along with their efforts to recruit citizens to the region and garner support from the Roman provincial governor and emperor. This analysis prompts further discussion on the role that signaling theory has in bettering our understanding monumental architecture. Overall, this research will help demonstrate the complex relationship between the east and the west in which indigenous cultures were vigorous in balancing their power with that of Rome.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Evolutionary Theory and Archaeology, Part II: Applications of Human Behavioral Ecology, Macroevolutionary Approaches, and Costly Signaling   •
• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage