Multiple Citizenship in Roman Asia Minor

The reality of multiple citizenship in the Greek cities of Asia Minor during the Imperial Age shows that in the first two centuries of the Empire citizenship was far from being confined to the border of one polis. Citizenships could be cumulated and individuals holding two or even more citizenships were not a rare case in the imperial period. Multiple-citizenship holders were often members of the elites, but not only: we also have significant evidence for professionals from sectors such as commerce, crafts, the arts, and the world of athletics.

This chapter discusses some case studies of multiple-citizenship holders. It focusses on inscriptions and selected passages from the orators of the Second Sophistic, such as Dio Chrysostomus and Aelius Aristides, which are relevant to the performance and discourse of multiple civic identities. It argues that that the distinction between actual and honorific citizenship does not do justice to the complex reality of multiple citizenships.