Mapping Population Movement

Information on the origins of those who died was included in many epitaphs, and this can be used, albeit imperfectly, to study physical mobility in the Roman empire. These details might reveal the voting district in which the person was registered, the city or province of origin, or, in the case of non-citizens, the ethnic origin and tribal affiliation of the deceased. A legionary soldier, for example, from Calagurris in northern Spain might end up being posted in Nijmegen on the German frontier, giving us insight into the movement of someone who chose to pursue a military career. A merchant from Syria might follow his business interests and end up residing in Gaul on the Saone river, dealing in goods from Lyon and Aquitania.

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