ABSTRACT: Historically, the Romans tended to integrate rather than suppress the cultures of the peoples they
vanquished. Between the end of the Republic and the early stage of the Empire, however, the
city of Rome broke with their traditional tolerance, just as it was annexing Egypt. At this
moment, in fact, a negative view about the Egyptians spread among the Roman authorities. The
result was that, in Rome, a series of decrees were issued to counter the spread of the Egyptian
culture. This reaction was in full contrast to the Roman cities of Delos, Pompeii, and Aquileia,
which did regard positively and integrate Egyptian culture. The reason for this difference was the
Roman need to re-embrace traditional Roman values at a time when the city was experiencing
political and social clashes. The result was that Roman authorities enforced a negative and
hostile view towards Egyptian culture, which was considered contrary to Roman values. This
thesis explores and compares the different reception of Egyptian culture in the cities of Rome,
Delos, Pompeii, and Aquileia, and seeks to find reasons for those differences.
