Religious lives of the Roman soldiers in Asia Minor in the light of epigraphic documents

This master's thesis aims to examine the religious lives of both active and retired soldiers who were stationed or lived in Asia Minor from the beginning of Rome's expansion in Asia to the end of the Principate, focusing on the votive inscriptions erected by soldiers. Through a detailed analysis of aforementioned epigraphic documents, the thesis reveals that Roman soldiers of different ranks and units stationed in Asia Minor frequently offered votive offerings to both traditional Roman gods and goddesses and local Anatolian deities with different epithets. The epigraphic documents in question also shed light on the way of worship carried out among the soldiers in relation to the imperial cult. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of various temples, which are sacred places played key roles for the religious lives of the Roman soldiers, and the Roman headquarters where they conducted their main religious life. Additionally, the study shows that some of the offerings are made by veterans who have completed their military service, revealing that their commitment to their religious beliefs continued during their retirement. The role of commanders in managing religious practices among soldiers is also explored. Although the study focuses on the Principate era, a historical background is presented about some ancient traditions and beliefs related to the religious practices of the soldiers, daring back to the Principate. Overall, this study aims to provide information and evaluations about the religious life of Roman soldiers and their religious interactions with Asia Minor, by contributing to a broader research on the social and cultural history of the Roman Empire.