The role of sanctuaries in the creation of collective identities: the example of the Treveran oppida

Abstract

Sanctuaries and meeting places played an essential role in creating collective identities and political alliances. The presented contribution will analyse this subject on the known examples from the inside of Treveran oppida. Thanks to extensive research these central places provide some of the best indications on cult precincts and public places in the whole Gallic area. Building on this, a comprehensive synthesis on territorial structure and socio-political strata in Treveran society is presented. Subsequently, theoretical and comparative remarks are made on subjects such as identification processes and cultural memory as well as popular assemblies in ancient Ireland and the Scandinavian world. Finally the study is concluded by some considerations on the formation of Western and Central European oppida.