Asia Minor and the Third Century CE

Asia Minor and the Third Century CE: The Epigraphic Continuity of Civic Life in a Changing Roman Empire examines the inscriptions of southern and western Anatolia from the accession of Septimius Severus to the rise of Diocletian (193-284 CE). During these years of pivotal transition between the High and Late Roman Empire, scholarship has often characterised the period as one defined by systemic crisis and civic decline. It is frequently argued that such instability eroded the foundations of local governance, leaving provincial populations either unwilling or unable to sustain the financial and political burdens of civic life. However, this study moves beyond a binary attempt to confirm or deny the existence of a 'third-century crisis'. Instead, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the diverse testimonies that these political communities under Roman rule continued to produce and display publicly. By situating this habit within its broader socio-political context, the work undertakes a significant re-evaluation of the epigraphic evidence alongside related materials, including coins and literary sources, from cities and regions such as Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Termessos, Lydia, or Pamphylia. Rather than witnessing a collapse of traditional structures and civic mindsets, the available record reveals a notable resilience in communal action across Asia Minor. Ultimately, this analysis invites a reconsideration of the third century CE, highlighting the enduring vitality of a region that proved fundamental to a changing Roman Empire.