In Revaluing Roman Cyprus, Ersin Hussein provides a study of local identity formation in Roman Cyprus addresses its traditional characterisation as a weary, uneventful, and insignificant province and champions it as a rich case study for investigations of the Roman Empire. Hussein collates well-known, overlooked, and newly uncovered evidence to revaluate local responses to, and experiences of, Roman rule. The investigation opens with a look at the island as a real and imagined space to explore its marginalisation in ancient and modern scholarly narratives. Hussein revisits the events surrounding the annexation of the island by Rome from Ptolemaic Egypt and its subsequent administration to establish the dynamics between the inhabitants of the island and their rulers. The spread and impact of Roman citizenship across the island is assessed through an exploration of the strategies employed by individuals to distinguish themselves in local and regional contexts. Hussein examines the poleis of Roman Cyprus, notably the preservation of their myths in literary records and the production of these in the material record, are examined to explore collective identity formation. Roman Cyprus is revealed as an active and dynamic participant in negotiating its identity and status in the Roman Empire. An island was poised between multiple landscapes, Hussein shows how Cyprus maintained deep-rooted connections between mainland Greece, Egypt, Asia Minor, and the Near East.

About the Author
Ersin Hussein is an ancient historian currently based at Swansea University. Her research focuses on local identity formation in the conquered territories of the Roman Empire, and in particular the history, society, and culture of ancient Cyprus from the time of its earliest settlers to more recent history. Since joining Swansea, she has worked closely with the university's award-winning museum, The Egypt Centre, to develop object-learning research and teaching initiatives.

Reviews
The book's subtitle hints at the binding theme, and insightful chapters on administration, citizenship and civic identity, especially from the perspective of Cypriots and their complex relationship with the Roman Empire, highlight the polyvalent tensions that existed on the island. * YOUNG RICHARD KIM, The Classical Review *
written in a pleasant, readable register, this well-written, well-organized, and informative book provides an up-to-date synthesis of existing and original ideas about Cyprus. * T. Doran, CHOICE *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198777786
Author Ersin Hussein
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 368g
Dimensions(mm) 225mm * 145mm * 16mm