(Honorary) Titles for Cities in the Roman Empire
Table of Contents
How Roman Cities Earned Prestige Through Imperial Titles
Overview of Honorary Titles
In the Roman Empire, cities were often granted honorary titles that reflected their status, loyalty, or special privileges. These titles were not merely ceremonial; they conferred tangible benefits and recognized the city’s importance within the imperial structure.
Colonia
The title “Colonia” was bestowed upon cities that were officially established as Roman colonies, typically under the authority of the Roman state or emperor. These settlements were often founded for the resettlement of retired Roman soldiers (veterans), who were granted land as a reward for their service. Strategically, this practice helped secure newly conquered territories by placing loyal Roman citizens in key locations across the empire.
Colonies played a crucial role in the process of Romanization, serving as outposts of Roman culture, language, architecture, and law. They helped integrate diverse provinces into the imperial system by spreading Roman urban planning, customs, and governance structures. The presence of Roman veterans, who had been disciplined through military service, also ensured a degree of stability and allegiance to Rome in regions that might otherwise resist imperial control.
Being designated a Colonia conferred significant legal and political privileges, including the application of Roman law (ius Romanum) and often exemption from certain taxes. Colonists held Roman citizenship, and the city typically had a Roman-style municipal government, complete with magistrates, a council (ordo decurionum), and local assemblies. These cities were considered a reflection of Rome itself — “little Romes” — and held a higher prestige and symbolic status than non-colonial towns or municipia.
Over time, the title Colonia could also be honorifically granted to existing cities, even if they weren’t founded by Roman settlers, as a way to reward loyalty or commemorate imperial patronage.
Examples:
- Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (Modern-day Cologne, Germany) – Founded under Emperor Claudius in honor of his wife Agrippina, who was born there.
- Colonia Ulpia Traiana (Near modern Xanten, Germany) – Established under Emperor Trajan as a model Roman city in Germania Inferior.
- Colonia Patricia Corduba (Modern Córdoba, Spain) – Elevated to colonia status under Augustus, becoming an important Roman center in Hispania.
- Colonia Julia Augusta Philippensis (Modern Philippi, Greece) – Founded by Augustus for veteran soldiers after the Battle of Philippi.
- Colonia Julia Equestris (Modern Nyon, Switzerland) – Founded by Julius Caesar for equestrian veterans.
- Colonia Augusta Treverorum (Modern Trier, Germany) – Established under Augustus and became a major administrative and imperial center.
- Colonia Aelia Capitolina (Roman refounding of Jerusalem under Emperor Hadrian following the Bar Kokhba revolt).
- Colonia Claudia Victricensis (Modern Colchester, UK) – The first Roman colonia in Britain, founded for Claudius’s victorious troops.
- Colonia Julia Carthago (Refounded Carthage in North Africa as a Roman colony by Julius Caesar, later completed by Augustus).
- Colonia Julia Augusta Apollonide (Apollonia in Illyria, reinforced as a colony under Augustus for veterans).
Civitas
The term “Civitas” referred to a city, community, or collective body of citizens within the Roman Empire. It originally denoted the legal status of a community and its inhabitants, particularly their relationship to Roman law and citizenship. A civitas could vary in its degree of autonomy, from fully self-governing allied communities (civitates foederatae) to those more tightly controlled by Rome (civitates stipendariae, or tribute-paying communities). Being recognized as a civitas often implied that the community had a structured local government, typically led by a council (ordo decurionum) and elected magistrates.
This status brought certain privileges, such as legal recognition, the ability to conduct local affairs, and, in some cases, partial or full Roman citizenship for its inhabitants. It also imposed responsibilities, including tax obligations and the requirement to support the imperial administration, sometimes even supplying troops or infrastructure. Over time, civitas came to reflect both a legal designation and a symbol of a city’s incorporation into the Roman political and cultural order.
Examples:
- Carthage (North Africa) – After its destruction and re-foundation as a Roman colony, Carthage was granted the title Civitas, reflecting its self-governance and integration into the Roman administrative system.
- Pompeii (Italy) – Pompeii was granted Civitas status as part of its integration into the Roman world, with its citizens granted Roman citizenship and privileges.
- Massilia (Marseille) (France) – Massilia, a Greek colony that was later incorporated into the Roman Empire, held the status of Civitas, integrating it into the Roman system while maintaining its self-governance.
- Brittany (France) – Several cities in the region, such as Treverorum (Trier), gained Civitas status as part of their integration into the Roman Empire.
- Mediolanum (Milan) (Italy) – Milan, an important administrative and economic center, was granted Civitas status, indicating its role in the Roman system and its significant political influence.
- Nemausus (Nîmes) (France) – A significant city in Roman Gaul, Nîmes was granted Civitas status, contributing to its political and economic prominence within the empire.
- Thessalonica (Greece) – Thessalonica was awarded Civitas status, marking its importance as an urban center within the Roman province of Macedonia.
- Tarraco (Tarragona) (Spain) – Tarraco was granted Civitas status, reflecting its central role in the Roman province of Hispania Citerior and its integration into the imperial system.
- Athens (Greece) – While it had a unique cultural significance, Athens was granted Civitas status under the Roman Empire, maintaining its self-governing status within the broader Roman structure.
- Cyzicus (Asia Minor) – This prosperous city on the Sea of Marmara was granted Civitas status as part of its integration into Roman governance.
Metropolis
The title “Metropolis”, meaning “mother city” in Greek, was used in the Roman Empire to designate a city of elevated status, often the chief city within a province or region. These metropolitan cities typically held administrative primacy and were home to the provincial governor’s headquarters or central institutions of governance. In many cases, the metropolis was the largest and most culturally developed urban center in the area, often boasting advanced infrastructure such as forums, theaters, aqueducts, and administrative complexes. They frequently hosted concilia (provincial assemblies), religious festivals, and judicial sessions, making them focal points for both political activity and regional identity. The title was also a recognition of historical prestige or urban continuity, especially in the eastern provinces where Hellenistic traditions were integrated into Roman administration.
Examples:
- Ephesus (Asia Minor) – One of the most prominent metropolitan cities of the Roman province of Asia, known for its temple of Artemis and its role as a center of commerce and governance.
- Antioch (Syria) – A major metropolis and a cultural and administrative hub, often seen as the “second city” of the Roman Empire after Rome.
- Carthage (North Africa) – Following its re-establishment as a Roman colony, Carthage became the metropolis of the province of Africa, rivaling Rome in its influence.
- Alexandria (Egypt) – A center of learning, commerce, and administration, Alexandria was the metropolis of Egypt and one of the most important cities in the Roman world.
- Rome (Italy) – The capital of the Roman Empire, it held the highest status as the metropolis, with ultimate political, cultural, and religious significance.
- Lugdunum (France, modern-day Lyon) – A city in Gaul, serving as the metropolis of the province of Gallia Lugdunensis, and an important economic and political center.
- Mileto (Asia Minor) – A significant city in Ionia that was the metropolis of the region, known for its ancient philosophical schools and as an influential commercial center.
- Byblos (Lebanon) – While not as large as some other metropolises, Byblos held an important position in the Roman Empire as a key center of trade and culture.
Neokoros
The title “Neokoros”, derived from the Greek word for “temple warden” or “caretaker,” was a prestigious designation granted to cities entrusted with the care of imperial temples. These temples were typically dedicated to the emperor or members of the imperial family, forming part of the imperial cult, which promoted loyalty and unity across the empire. Receiving neokoros status signified that a city had been chosen as an official religious center for emperor worship, and this often brought with it enhanced civic pride, financial benefits from pilgrimage and festivals, and architectural investment. Some cities earned the title multiple times, each time for a different temple, and would proudly display the number of neokoriai they held on inscriptions and coins. For example, Smyrna became a two-time neokoros, emphasizing its role as a prominent religious and cultural capital in Asia Minor. This status also placed organizational demands on the city, which had to maintain the temple, conduct sacrifices, and coordinate major public ceremonies in honor of the emperor.
Examples:
- Ephesus (Asia Minor) – The most famous Neokoros city, Ephesus was the first city to be granted the title after building a grand temple dedicated to the imperial cult of Emperor Augustus.
- Alexandria (Egypt) – Alexandria was awarded the title of Neokoros due to its temple dedicated to the imperial cult, highlighting its religious significance.
- Smyrna (Asia Minor) – This city was granted Neokoros status for its temple dedicated to the worship of the Roman emperor, especially in connection with the emperors Augustus and Tiberius.
- Miletus (Asia Minor) – Another prominent city in the region that was granted the title Neokoros, Miletus had an important temple dedicated to the imperial cult.
- Pergamum (Asia Minor) – Pergamum, famous for its grand Altar of Zeus, also held the title of Neokoros after it constructed a temple for the imperial cult.
- Antioch (Syria) – Antioch, as a major cultural and religious center, received the title of Neokoros for its imperial cult practices, which included temples dedicated to the emperor.
- Delphi (Greece) – A sacred city of ancient Greece, Delphi was granted the title of Neokoros after it became a center for the imperial cult under the Roman Empire.
- Dion (Macedonia) – Known for its significant temple dedicated to the imperial cult, Dion in Macedonia was also granted the title of Neokoros.
- Caesarea Maritima (Judea) – This city, built by King Herod and named in honor of Augustus, had a major temple dedicated to the emperor and was honored with the title of Neokoros.
Augusta
“Augusta” was an honorific title given to cities to honor the emperor or the imperial family. This designation often accompanied other titles and signified a special relationship with the emperor, reflecting favor or commemoration of imperial visits or benefactions. While Colonia had a clear legal and administrative implication, Augusta was more symbolic, although still meaningful, signaling favor, loyalty, and often associated with founding myths or veteran settlements.
Examples:
- Augusta Emerita (modern Mérida in Spain) — founded for retired Roman soldiers (emeriti), combining Augusta with the soldier reference.
- Augusta Treverorum (modern Trier in Germany) — meaning “Augusta of the Treveri people.”
- Caesarea Augusta (modern Zaragoza in Spain) — combining Caesarea and Augusta to reflect strong imperial ties.
Caput Mundi
“Caput Mundi,” meaning “Capital of the World,” was a title associated with Rome itself, reflecting its central role in the empire’s political and cultural life. This designation underscored Rome’s preeminence among the cities of the empire.
Nova Roma
“Nova Roma,” or “New Rome,” was a title given to Constantinople after its establishment as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine. This title signified the city’s intended role as the successor to Rome’s legacy.