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Writing (and Rewriting) Rome

This blog has demonstrated the importance of Roman public writing along a number of lines. Inscriptions were vehicles of power. They defined and contextualized spaces. They functioned as records of social contracts, especially between patrons and clients. In all of these ways public writing served important functions in the Roman World.

This last post will emphasize how important these functions of public writing were to the Romans by discussing restoration inscriptions. All around Rome this type of inscriptions can be seen. Usually these take the formula 'X person rebuilt this building after it was destroyed by Y'. For example, the Temple of Saturn states that the Senate and People of Rome Rebuilt it after it was burned in a fire.
The Temple of  Saturn in the Roman Forum. Photo by Jack Hase.

It is possible to understand these inscriptions with the approaches used throughout this blog: in terms of power, space, and social contract. However, these restoration inscriptions also provide a new wrinkle of interpretation.

Not all buildings with restoration inscriptions show archaeological evidence of restoration.

When we start looking at different buildings with restoration inscriptions in this way we find that Rome is scattered with buildings that only show signs of minor or superficial renovations. This is not true for all buildings that are inscribed as being rebuilt; often the sites show indications that some amount of work coincides with the text. However, we are still left with many inscriptions that make misleading claims about restoration. Why?
The Porticus of Octavia bearing a restoration inscription. Photo by Jack Hase.

For the careful reader of this blog this is not a hard question. Inscriptions were important in the Roman world. They served a function. But even as Rome became packed full of buildings with inscriptions, the functions that they served continued. Therefore it makes sense that those who occupied positions of patronage in society would use any reason they could to publish a new inscription. Was an important building a little damaged in a fire? Maybe that is a good opportunity to give the whole site a little face-lift and a new inscription. Trying to legitimize yourself as an imperial patron? Maybe there is a temple that has seen better days and could use a nice clear inscription with your name.

This blog has repeatedly discussed how Roman public writing served important functions. By looking at restorations inscriptions in this way we can see just how important these functions were to Romans. Romans needed to write, read, and live in settings with inscriptions. They relied upon them in daily life. As is evident by less-than-necessary restoration inscriptions, Romans believed public writing was necessary. As we look back on the Roman World, we should strive to see the same necessity in the inscriptions they left behind.

Vltime Valete.

Bibliography:

Fagan, Garret G. "The Reliability of Roman Rebuilding Inscriptions." Papers of the British School at Rome 64 (1996): 81-93.

Thomas, Edmund and Christian Witschel. "Constructing Reconstruction: Claim and Reality of Roman Rebuilding Inscriptions from the Latin West." Papers from the British School at Rome 60 (1992): 135-177.

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