Fenomeni di acculturazione nella documentazione epigrafica dell’area medioadriatica in età repubblicana

The paper deal with the problem of acculturation in the Roman sense as witnessed by the inscriptions between the late 4th century B.C. and the Augustan age in the Adriatic section of regio VI Umbria et Ager Gallicus and in regio V Picenum. After outlining the main aspects of the new approach to the concept of Romanization, the essay examines epigraphic traditions other than Roman (Sudpicene, Umbrian, Greek, Etruscan), noting that influences and points of contact with Latin epigraphic culture are weak. The paper then analyzes the development of Latin epigraphy in the area. It emerges that for the Middle Adriatic region the Roman conquest marked a new beginning of epigraphic writing as a means of expression, with features similar to those of the city of Rome and which do not seem to be affected by a definite local, pre-Roman influence. The phenomenon is due on the one hand to the closeness between our region and the city of Rome, and on the other hand to the intensity of colonization, which changed in depth the demographic framework and as a consequence the cultural landscape of the area, too. For this reason, the centers of irradiation of Roman epigraphic culture are mainly the Roman and Latin colonies in the area. Next to them also the sanctuaries, since the beginnings of Latin epigraphy, in our region too, are closely connected with the religious sphere. Early is also appearance of texts related to public building activity, while slower is the establishment of epigraphy of a private nature. Finally, it is noted that a non-secondary role in this process was also played by women.