Cilicia and the Roman Empire: reflections on Provincia Cilicia and its romanisation

This paper aims at the study of the Roman province of Cilicia, whose formation process was quite long (from the 1st century BC to 72 AD) and complicated by various events. Firstly, it will focus on a more precise determination of the geographic limits of the region, which are not clear and quite ambiguous in the ancient sources. Secondly, the author will thoroughly analyze the formation of the province itself and its progressive Romanization. Finally, political organization of Cilicia within the Roman empire in its different forms throughout time will be taken into account.This paper aims at the study of the Roman province of Cilicia, whose formation process was quite long (from the 1st century BC to 72 AD) and complicated by various events. Firstly, it will focus on a more precise determination of the geographic limits of the region, which are not clear and quite ambiguous in the ancient sources. Secondly, the author will thoroughly analyze the formation of the province itself and its progressive Romanization. Finally, political organization of Cilicia within the Roman empire in its different forms throughout time will be taken into account

Density separation of petrous bone powders for optimized ancient DNA yields

Density separation is a process routinely used to segregate minerals, organic matter, and even microplastics, from soils and sediments. Here we apply density separation to archaeological bone powders before DNA extraction to increase endoge-nous DNA recovery relative to a standard control extraction of the same powders. Using nontoxic heavy liquid solutions, we separated powders from the petrous bones of 10 individuals of similar archaeological preservation into eight density inter-vals (2.15 to 2.45 g/cm3 , in 0.05 increments). We found that the 2.30 to 2.35 g/cm 3 and 2.35 to 2.40 g/cm3 intervals yield-ed up to 5.28-fold more endogenous unique DNA than the corresponding standard extraction (and up to 8.53-fold before duplicate read removal), while maintaining signals of ancient DNA authenticity and not reducing library complexity. Although small 0.05 g/cm 3 intervals may maximally optimize yields, a single separation to remove materials with a density above 2.40 g/cm3 yielded up to 2.57-fold more endogenous DNA on average, which enables the simultaneous separation of samples that vary in preservation or in the type of material analyzed. While requiring no new ancient DNA laboratory equipment and fewer than 30 min of extra laboratory work, the implementation of density separation before DNA extraction can substantially boost endogenous DNA yields without decreasing library complexity. Although subsequent studies are required, we present theoretical and practical foundations that may prove useful when applied to other ancient DNA substrates such as teeth, other bones, and sediments

Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for infections in patients affected by HCV-related liver cirrhosis

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its impact on infections in HCV-related liver cirrhosis. Methods: We enrolled 291 patients affected by HCV-related liver cirrhosis. Serum vitamin D levels were dosed at enrolment. The presence of infection was assessed at baseline and during follow-up based on physical examination and laboratory analyses. Results: Vitamin D deficiency (15 (p = 0.003), Child-Pugh class B/C vs A (p < 0.001), and active hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (p < 0.001). At multivariate analysis, vitamin D deficiency (p < 0.01), HCC (p < 0.05), hospitalization (p < 0.001) and exposure to immunosuppressant agents (p < 0.05) were independent risk factors for infection at baseline. Conclusions: Vitamin D may play a role in the development of infections in patients affected by liver cirrhosis, and preventive strategies with vitamin D supplementation are to be evaluated in randomized controlled trials

The Harbour Baths

Si presentano in sintesi i dati relativi alle indagini di scavo degli anni 1999-2002 nel complesso delle Terme del Port

Elaiussa Sebaste: note su un'iscrizione funeraria dalla basilica bizantina delle Grandi Terme

The funerary inscription taken into account in this paper has been found in 2012 inside a tomb in the north aisle of the Byzantine basilica built inside the Great Baths at Elaiussa Sebaste. The text, even if fragmentary in the first lines, offers new insights on funerary rituals within this church in the 6th century AD. It states in fact that the multiple grave (called somatotheke) was reserved to the nephews (anepsioi) of the metropolites of Tarsos. Such a privilege suggests that the bishop of Tarsos, whose name is not men‑ tioned in the inscription, may have had some particular links with Sebaste and with this church, perhaps being one of the euergetes involved in the (re)construction of the building. This large basilica was much probably part of a wider complex – including also the nearby church built in the agora – situated along the pilgrim route connecting Tarsos with Aghia Thekla

La necropoli di Castel Sozzio, Civitella D’Agliano (Viterbo): note preliminari

Il contributo presenta i risultati preliminari delle indagini archeologiche condotte nel 2020 nella necropoli tardo romana e altro medievale di Castel Sozzio (Civitella D'Agliano, VT)