Faces of Macedonia: Dependencies and Originality

The study explores portraiture in the Roman province of Macedonia from Augustus to Gallienus with the aim of examining their relationship or deviations from Roman metropolitan models. A key issue is the extent to which the sitters adopted the official types - a phenomenon known as “assimilated portraiture” or “period- face”. The peculiarities of Macedonian portraits are analyzed, and their originality is highlighted, through which the unique identity of the persons depicted is projected. ?rtistic identity of the works is also examined, focusing on the sculptors that worked in Macedonia, both locals and incomers from Athens, Thasos and elsewhere, as well as on the use of marbles from different quarries. The research, based on over 600 monuments, emphasizes portrait heads both of emperors and private individuals.  The study also examines statues and busts that are their bearers and highlights their relationships with their counterparts used in the Greek-speaking part of the empire. The statuary types depicting emperors and members of their families are identified, as are the types chosen by individuals, dignitaries and prominent citizens who were honored publicly or privately. An issue is also the establishment of portraits in the most prominent places of the cities - agoras, sanctuaries, theatres, gymnasia -, mainly in Thessaloniki but also in many other Macedonian cities.