Studies in the Residential Architecture of Late Roman Thessalonica and its Vicinity

Konstantinos Prapoglou

Research output: ThesisDoctoral Thesis

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Abstract

Working mainly from the published archaeological record, the thesis re-assesses the chronology, design and socio-political significance of palatial and elite housing in Thessalonica (Greece) during the 4th-6th centuries AD. The first two chapters introduce the historical and archaeological context, the latter with particular attention to the dating criteria that have been employed. The following three chapters examine the specific issues of dating and interpretation surrounding respectively the ‘Palace of Galerius’, the early 5th century country villa at Palaeokastro, and the range of Thessalonican town houses with apsidal halls (of which a catalogue forms an appendix). In the case of the ‘Palace of Galerius’ the thesis finds that few of the remains traditionally associated with the palace are likely to be Galerian in date, most are significantly later, and it also discusses the layout and functions of the various components. The study of the Villa at Palaeokastro is not concerned so much with dating, rather with the definition of its plan-type, the organisation, functions and decoration of space. It draws comparison with other elite country villas of the period on the one hand, and the local town houses of Thessalonica on the other. The analysis of the town houses identifies two chronological groups, one assigned to the 4th and another to the 5th century onwards, and considers the extent to which these represent local developments and/or different traditions or have a larger historical significance, in relation to the influx of military personnel attached either to the emperor’s presence in the city or to Thessalonica’s role as the capital of Illyricum after 441.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationMPhil
Awarding Institution
  • Royal Holloway, University of London
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Claridge, Amanda, Supervisor
Award date1 Jun 2015
Publication statusUnpublished - 2015

Keywords

  • late Roman, Thessalonica, Galerius, residential, urban, palatial, architecture, Greece, Illyricum

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