Mehmet Oktan - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Mehmet Oktan

Philia 3, 2017

During the field work at Lyrboton Kome near Perge in 2012 three altars were discovered that stand... more During the field work at Lyrboton Kome near Perge in 2012 three altars were discovered that stand side by side on the edge of a well-type cistern located in front of a monumental building in the eastern centre of the settlement. Two blocks feature Greek inscriptions; whether the third altar also bears an inscription is uncertain owing to the block’s present position. The first of said two inscriptions mentions a weapon (lancea) presented as a dedicatory offering by Aurelius Demetrios after retirement from military service as cornicularius in the Roman Army. The place where the name of the God was given in line 1 is broken away, probably because of the stone’s reuse at a later date. However, the word next to the damaged area is Drymon, which is believed to be the god’s epithet. In a comment on the Hellenistic poet Lykophron, the Byzantine scholar Ioannes Tzetzes mentions that Zeus was worshipped in Pamphylia with the cult title of Drymnios. Since said gap accommodates not more than four letters, we assume that the deity in question is Zeus. The second inscription gives only the name of the dedicator (Sulla). The fact that the two dedicatory inscriptions and the other altar were all found in the same place in front of a large structure suggests that these monuments were related to said structure, which was probably dedicated to Zeus Drymon.

PHILIA, 2020

With the start of more recent archaeological research work, several inscriptions were discovered ... more With the start of more recent archaeological research work, several inscriptions were discovered in the central Pamphylian city of Aspendos. This article presents eight of them, mostly copied in the urban area in 2019. The first three inscriptions are imperial dedications, followed by several honorary decrees for Roman and local officials. No. 1, whose upper part was already known from a copy by Hirschfeld, contains a dedication for Germanicus Caesar and mentions four priests of emperors and Thea Rome. No. 2 is a public dedication to Hadrian from AD 125. The milestone no. 3, originally set up about 7.0 km southeast of Aspendos, bears an honorary inscription for Emperor Iulian, which overwrites a previous text. No. 4 honours the previously unknown proconsul of the province of Lycia-Pamphylia, Aelius Antonius. Municius Touesianos, the dedicant, held high positions both in Aspendos and in the Pamphylian League. The honorary inscription no. 5 is dated after the well-known equestrian governor Terentius Marcianus, who excelled in fighting a major uprising in AD 278. No. 6 honours the local dignitary Demetrios, priest of the imperial cult for five years, who also served as demiourgos. Here, the long tenure of archiereia seems to be highlighted as an outstanding achievement. No. 7 honours the physician Zoilos, who served as archiatros in his hometown. The last inscription names a C. Curtius (cognomen lost), who was probably related to the senatorial family of the Curtii, known for the foun-dation of the great theatre.

MSGSÜ Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 2019

The actions taken by the Roman administration for building structures in the provinces and the al... more The actions taken by the Roman administration for building structures in the provinces and the allocation of a portion of its budget or revenues from the provinces for the development of the cities are important elements in understanding Rome's view of the cities of Anatolia. Even in case of need, Rome was quite reluctant to help the cities and to build structures in the cities, but it is necessary to evaluate this attitude of Rome towards the cities separately for the Republican and Principatus Periods. This is because during the Republican period, the Roman administration aided cities very rarely, and these were usually to restore after war devastation. Although the number of contributions to the construction of building and the amount of financial assistance was still very little, a different approach was adopted in this respect during the period of the Principatus beginning in 27 BC. It was Augustus who made Rome's point of view different from that of the Republic and he determined the policy to be followed in this matter subsequently. In this study, information is provided concerning how Augustus initiated a change to building construction in the provincial cities of Anatolia, what kind of structures he had built, and in which cities he focussed building activity on, and when, and what kinds of assistance he provided.

Phaselis, 2018

Quintus Tullius Cicero had an elder brother who could inspire and contribute in terms of literatu... more Quintus Tullius Cicero had an elder brother who could inspire and contribute in terms of literature to his development, being Cicero. In addition, Quintus Tullius obtained a very good education becoming a master of Greek literature and philosophy, and he spent most of his life in Rome together with him, with the exception of 7 years when he served in administrative positions outside of Rome. For that reason his writing was naturally expected to be excellent and that he would become a very productive writer. Indeed, it is known from Cicero and from other ancient writers that he was a poet of noteworthy ability. Although his poems were mostly written out of Rome, probably due to the fact he wasn’t concerned that they would be lost, he wrote all his works only as single copies to his brother and he couldn’t rewrite them again when they were lost so as to carry the same intensity of feeling as in the first copy. Further, through developments as well the many time consuming tasks undertaken he didn’t realise his full potential literary output. Although this situation prevents the full understanding of the level of authenticity he reached, the titles they carry indicate these works were adaptations made from Greek to Latin, or were translations. The rare examples of his work, of which some part, or, all of a work, remain to the present day, have often been attributed to other writers, especially to his older brother, in consequence of his area of study, producing works of adaptation or translation. In this study, from the surviving remains of his works and from indications of his lost works, together with the information provided by his brother and by other ancient authors, the literary identity of Quintus Tullius Cicero is examined. To better understand the relationship between his life and his works an account of his life is also included, which provides reasons why his literary output was not greater than it was.

Adalya, 2014

A Latin inscription from Antioch, the capital of Pisidia, constitutes the scope of the present ar... more A Latin inscription from Antioch, the capital of Pisidia, constitutes the scope of the present article. Pisidia was made a separate province under the diocesis Asiana by Galerius Valerius Maximianus, Augustus of the eastern part of the Roman Empire, within the frame of reforms to divide very large provinces to facilitate administration. The inscription was uncovered in the course of 2011 campaign of excavations, and it concerns the dedication of a statue of Flavius Valerius Constantinus, Augustus of the western part of the Roman Empire, by Valerius Diogenes, the first and best-known governor of Provincia Pisidia. Unlike the numerous fragmentary inscriptions at Antioch from the time of Governor Valerius Diogenes, this one has survived intact. It also has a formula different from other dedications to Constantinus Magnus across the empire. The term of Governor Valerius Diogenes overlaps with the years of a power struggle in the empire. That a statue was dedicated to the Augustus of the West in the cardo maximus of the city is a good example for fast adaptation of provincial governors to the changes in the central authority. This inscription further reveals that another problematic inscription recovered in two fragments in Hisarardı, a quarter of Antioch then, concerning another statue dedication, needs additional completion.

The inscription does not yield a clear date. Nevertheless, the relations between Constantinus Magnus, Valerius Licinianus Licinius and Galerius Valerius Maximinus suggest some evidence for dating. Thus, this inscription must belong to the second half of A.D. 313, when Augustus Galerius Valerius Maximinus of the dioceses of Pontica, Asiana and Oriens was defeated by the other Augustus, Valerius Licinianus Licinius, and Maximinus Daia lost his life. Therefore, this inscription also shows that Valerius Diogenes remained in his position until the end of the year 313 although it was expected that he would be removed from office immediately with the death of Galerius Valerius Maximinus. For he followed a policy different from that of the remaining two Augusti, Constantinus Magnus and Valerius Licinianus Licinius.

History Studies, 2018

Today the most important factor in determining the level of development and population of ancient... more Today the most important factor in determining the level of development and population of ancient cities is the amount, type and quality of the architectural structures of these settlements. Most of the existing remains in the ancient settlements in Anatolia date from the Roman period, and from later periods. However, the number of buildings constructed or supported in Anatolia by the budget of the Roman administration is very few. It is almost disappears in the Republican period between the years 129 when the Roman administration formalized its presence in Anatolia and 31 B.C. These types of contributions made to certain cities are known from the writings of ancient authors in the Republican Period, and mostly from epigraphic evidence from the period of the Principatus. In this study, about a hundred years passed before the beginning of the Principatus Period through Augustus, the building activities supported by Rome in the cities and the rights that could contribute to the development of cities by way of indirect financial assistance are assessed. In this context, in the light of the examples of the financial contributions made to the settlements and in the light of the building construction or restoration that was made in Anatolia by Roman commanders who had imperium authority during the war and, in time of peace by the provincial governors, the viewpoint from Rome of these Anatolian settlements is assessed.

Chapters by Mehmet Oktan

Eskiçağda Savaş ve Diplomasi, 2021

VIR DOCTUS ANATOLICUS Studies in Memory of Sencer Şahin, Sencer Şahin Anısına Yazılar, 2016

This article presents a Greek inscription discovered in a wall of a church in the centre of Lyrbo... more This article presents a Greek inscription discovered in a wall of a church in the centre of Lyrboton Kome, a kome of Perge. The 10-line inscription provides us with unprecedented evidence for the presence of phratra in Pamphylia. It records the promise by Publius Attius Rufus, a man of Latin origin, to pay 100 denarii in order to purchase land for the phratra. Unfortunately, the name of this phratra can no longer be read clearly, as that part of the line on the stone is broken and eroded. However, if one takes into consideration both the phrase recorded on another inscriptionmfrom said kome and the size of the eroded space, which provides space for a maximum of three letters, it is possible to complete the missing part of this inscription with: the “elders” phratra. The letter forms suggest that the inscription dates from the end of the IInd or the beginning of the IIIrd century. The translation reads as follows: “Poplius Attius Roufus has promised to the phratra of [elders] a hundred denarii, with which he bought land, the income from which (will be used) to celebrate on his behalf the first day of Kalendae for ever”.

ARKEOLOJİ, TARİH VE EPİGRAFİ'NİN ARASıNDA: PROF. DR. VEDAT ÇELGİN'İN 68. DOĞUM GÜNÜ ONURUNA MAKALELER, 2018

Cicero firstly mentioned Pompeius in the year of 70 in the course of his famous speeches against ... more Cicero firstly mentioned Pompeius in the year of 70 in the course of his famous speeches against to Verres. From this date until the death of Pompeius, the relationship between them became and continued to be very close. Pompeius is the person who was the most frequently mentioned person in the works of Cicero indicating the extent of their cordial relationship. Pompeius is usually mentioned in the same speech more than once, while in some, Pompeius is the major figure. The mention of this very famous person such an extent, can be considered as a normal situation at this time for a writer who wrote on such a wide range of subjects with an extensive historical knowledge and understanding. However, the qualifications used to describe Pompeius, indicate that he was regarded by Cicero as being the most important person in the history of the Romans. In addition to calling him: dux, princeps, and imperator, he addresses him in general, with sincerity as noster, and these qualifications are often expressed of him in terms of superlatives of adjectives. This indicates the extent of the admiration he had for him and how powerful his relationship was with him. The basic element in this close relationship was that Cicero accepted and supported the greatness of Pompeius. When, over time, Cicero fails to do this, the relationship entered stormy waters and then Cicero suffered more damage than Pompeius. However, Pompeius always occupied a very special place for Cicero. As a matter of fact, during the civil war, Cicero chose to be with Pompeius rather than with Caesar, despite Caesar’s many attempts to win him over to his side. This study discusses the reasons for the preference of Cicero for Pompeius, who strongly criticized Pompeius' strategy, and maintained his support for his friend even though he anticipated that Pompeius would lose the Civil War.

Translations of the Ancient Sources by Mehmet Oktan

Dissertations by Mehmet Oktan

From the second part of the 3rd century B.C. Rome began her conquests; politically by the annexat... more From the second part of the 3rd century B.C. Rome began her conquests; politically by the annexation of the adjacent islands and her neighbors and, in the two hundred years her territory extended to a vast area from west to east and north to the south. This situation necessitated variations in the governmental management system and required new administrative arrangements. In spite of this, the Rome did not initially constitute, in the acquired region, which she converted into a province, administrative changes, and to rectify this situation took a little time. For this reason, Rome, at first, protected the administration systems and rules or laws which she found in place in the province and continued with the existing system and the administration of the provinces she ruled over through generals, a rule which was, as a result, of an unsystematic type.
From the second half of the 2nd century B.C. the number of provinces are increased and, although she protects some of the pre-existing regulations, it is to be noted that more detailed arrangements were now being made for the provinces, either with the institution of a 10 men commission, called the decem legati, together with the general who had conquered the area; or without a commission, just through powerful commanders such as Pompey the Great. Through these methods, the politics and administrative rule was established, to enable the Republic to manage the numerous provinces.
Rome, through these arrangements, determined the relationships between neighbors, kingships or states and at the provincial and city planning level, established the basic rules to be followed by Roman appointed magistrati, arrangements termed today lex provinciae. However, from the start, the rules which were established following the annexation of the province were insufficient to keep proper order, consequently the governors removed this deficiency through the authority invested in the imperium. Despite this, Rome hadn’t managed to establish control over the Roman administrators who were in the provinces and couldn’t or didn’t effectively supervise them, including those who were corrupt and those who otherwise used their power badly. This situation caused some troubles in the provinces and gave birth to reactions against Rome. As a result, later new arrangements for the provinces were made and for the Romans who held office in the provinces. Rome, whenever she met a reaction against herself took precautions against this and to prevent any repetition of this situation, made further regulations, to administer the situation in the provinces.
This thesis aims to establish, in the ancient times those districts that were made into a province, how the province has been administered and who has ruled it; what kind of authority Rome delegated to the the provinces, and what the administrators accomplished in the provinces and what kind of precautions were taken to protect to people in the provinces who were at the mercy of these provincial officials. The areas investigated in this research are informed by the information contained in the ancient sources: by the testimony provided by the correspondence between Plinius Minor and Imperator Traianus during his governorship of Bithynia et Pontus in which he mentioned Lex Pompeia and from modern sources and scholars.