The greek-latin epigraphic horizon of the caesarian-augustan age in southern Illyria and Epirus

This contribution aims to investigate the epigraphic reflections of the Roman presence on the south-eastern shore of the Adriatic in the period in which Rome first imposed a real stable presence through the foundation of three colonies. At the end of the survey of the epigraphic documentation, we can state that one can correctly speak of a defined epigraphic habit, the result of the carry-over of the Italic tradition by the settlers of the three deductions. In particular, in the Caesarian/Augustan age, at the time of the arrival of the new citizens, a new language is constituted, which saw mixed the Hellenic substratum and the imported Roman elements in a hybrid form.

Keywords: Epirus, Illyria, Latin Epigraphy, Dyrrachium, Byllis, Buthrotum, Roman colonies.