Description

The Hellenistic city of Butrint, with its flourishing sanctuary of Asclepius, was transformed when it was made a Roman colony, first by Caesar then Augustus. Being able to deploy its heroic ancestry linked to Aeneas and Troy, the city articulated its special relationship with the imperial family in fine portrait dedications and drew inspiration from Augustus' own city of Nicopolis. Drawing on the latest archaeological research from Butrint, this richly illustrated book presents a new understanding of the making and development of the ancient Epirote city - from colonial provisions, to public benefactions, to spacious villas and townhouses - and discusses the impact of patronage bestowed on it by the emperor and elite families in Rome.