Civic Honours under Roman Rule

Abstract In the Greek world, the award of honours by civic institutions or civic subgroups had a long history, going back to Classical times. This chapter examines the development of this honorific system from the 2nd century bc into the Imperial period, highlighting changes and continuities. The spread of honorific monuments went along with a new emphasis on individual excellence and family prestige in the language of public praise conveyed by honorific inscriptions. Traditional civic ideology nonetheless persisted: commitment to the community was still presented as the cardinal virtue for members of the elite, and the prerogative of the dēmos in the decision to honour was repeatedly asserted. A variety of honours, from ordinary to exceptional, rewarded a variety of benefactors, from the minor local notable to the emperor. Finally, the chapter reflects on the complex political, social, and cultural significance of civic honours for the Greek poleis under Roman rule.