Epigraphy, onomastics and local society at the western limits of the territory of Augusta Emerita

Abstract

To provide a securer basis for the identification of the western limits of the territory of the Roman colony of Augusta Emerita (Mérida), this contribution examines in detail the epigraphic evidence from the western section of the modern Spanish province of Badajoz and the Portuguese concelhos of Elvas and Estremoz. The first part provides an updated analysis of all attestations from this region of individuals enrolled in the Roman voting tribe of Emerita – the Papiria – and those who styled themselves Emeritenses. The second part examines the onomastics of all individuals attested in this region, focusing on the onomastic structure of their names and the nomina gentilicia represented, and argues that these are more compatible with the onomastics of those attested in the urban centre of Emerita and other parts of its territory than with those found in the neighbouring communities of Ebora and Ammaia.