Romanization with a compromise: Governance and Cultural Retention in Roman Egypt

This thesis examines the initial Process of Romanization in Roman Egypt, following its incorporation into the Empire in 30 BC, and the relationship between Roman rule and the continued presence of Graeco-Egyptian traditions and institutions. Particular attention is drawn to the administrative, religious and linguistic spheres, in order to assess how Roman policies affected existing systems of cultural practice and governance. The thesis aims on establishing whether Roman rule consciously replaced, adapted or continued said practices. The thesis employs modern historical and archaeological scholarship accompanied with archaeological, epigraphical, literary and papyrological evidence. The evidence suggests that due to the economic importance of the province, the presence of Roman authority was particularly pronounced in the administrative and legal sphere. In contrast, linguistic and religious practices retained a greater degree of autonomy, although both were continuously used to serve the needs of Rome. Romanization in Egypt therefore, could be viewed as an uneven process, in which some aspects of society were adapted to serve Rome's administrative and economic interests, while some were allowed to continue in order to maintain stability.