Making Space: Social Access, Civic Participation, and Community Networks through Female Benefaction Across Roman Italy, North Africa, and Asia Minor

Based on the descriptions of women by ancient authors, we would have to imagine that they were confined to the domus and did little other than weave and provide for their families. Thankfully, work in the last several decades has challenged this view and unveiled more realistic depictions of these ancient women, and their contributions to their cities through the practice of euergetism, or public benefaction. While authors debate whether or not women were acting in their own rights, this thesis seeks to evaluate their donations holistically while minimizing interpretive bias, through utilising a mixed-methods approach to understand regional inscriptions, portrayals, and historical descriptions.

Focusing on key themes which can be identified from ancient inscriptions such as chronology, benefaction type, religious affiliation, public roles, and family relationships, this research employs a comprehensive approach in comparing the regions of Roman Italy, North Africa, and Asia Minor. By incorporating regions across the Roman Empire alongside each other, new conclusions emerge which prompt considerations of the impact of cultural differences in a rapidly growing empire.

Through the compilation of nearly 250 women, where all of their known characteristics are captured, this research has employed thorough data filtering to analyse their behaviours and account for variability in inscriptions. Conclusions address the importance for certain women to identify a public role, the unique dress choices which suggest a continued attachment to native characteristics, and the emphasis of certain family relationships across regions. With this approach and its findings, this topic benefits from a fresh perspective and insights which will inspire future exploration.