Fuzzy Borders (Topoi B-I-2)

The investigation of indistinct and definite boundaries considered as two complimentary methods of delimiting space has been focus of this research group. One of the projects analysed diverse methods and layout schemes for concrete delimitation, i.e. the fixed delimitation of political spaces (city walls, fortresses). Against this background, two additional projects were occupied with the opposite phenomenon of “fuzzy borders”, i.e. inexact territorial demarcation. One related sub-project focused on diverse forms of Roman presence outside the Roman Empire (e.g. Roman outposts in the northern Black Sea region); another project researched ethnic conflicts in the empire’s border zones (agreements, contracts and oaths between the Roman Empire and bordering nations).