Localizing the Global in Roman Cyprus
The history of Roman Cyprus has been considered as obscure and uniform. Following three
centuries of being controlled by the Ptolemaic dynasty, the island was brutally annexed by
Rome in 58 BC and governed as a minor province. While some parts of the island
enthusiastically welcomed the new regime, it took a long time for some cities to reconcile
themselves with Roman rule. However, traditional studies have mistaken the island’s lack of
resistance to Rome as a decision to no longer to mark their cultural identity through their
local and traditional symbols.
This paper seeks to challenge this interpretation of Roman Cyprus’ history through a study of
its culture and identity by presenting the Cypriot Oath of Allegiance to Tiberius. A reexamination of the inscription will aim to demonstrate that Cyprus was in fact politically
astute in aligning itself with the wider, global concerns of the Roman Empire. The inscription
shows innovation and acute awareness on the part of the Cypriots in expressing their loyalty
to the Roman emperor, while maintaining their local identity. The prominence of Cypriot
deities in the inscription gives a sense not only of their national identity, but also highlights
the concept of micro-identities and regional variation across the island. This contradicts any
previous notion of the homogeneity of Roman Cyprus, and ultimately contributes to the
overall picture of Cyprus’ history as dynamic and evolving.