Greek and Roman citizenships

This chapter explores the complexity of civic belonging in the world of the Greek city-states under Rome. While local regimes of citizenship remained central to individual and community identities, the influx of settlers from Italy, as well as Roman citizenship extension had an impact on local and Roman citizenship policies alike. This chapter looks at some of the ways in which Greek communities dealt with the recurrent need to expand their citizen ranks, and examines the main consequences of the increasing, if highly uneven, spread of Roman citizenship, both for the enfranchised individuals and their native communities. The practice of multiple citizenships is also explored, and a case is made for some subjective, performative aspects of citizenship, which could be extended to foreign residents on the basis of territorial presence.