Romanisation, power and identity. Interpreting Roman Nijmegen.

Abstract

This thesis challenges the common view that the towns of Oppidum Batavorum and Ulpia Noviomagus were avoided and detested by the indigenous Batavian population. Post colonial ideas from the debate on Romanisation are used to re-evaluate and reinterpret the available sources, involving two important themes from this debate: (Batavo-Roman) power relations and (Batavian) identity. Firstly, it is demonstrated that the archaeological record of both town has been interpreted colonially in the past and therefore that a re-evaluation and reinterpretation is necessary. Secondly, using epigraphy, it is shown that the Batavians were involved in the political system of both towns. Lastly, several archaeological examples indicate that both town probably were a marker of identity for the Batavians. As a consequence, there are no specific reasons to suspect any hatred of the Batavians against Oppidum Batavorum or Ulpia Noviomagus.