Provincial Cilicia and the Archaeology of Temple Conversion

With the advent of Christianity, many symbols of paganism were removed or abandoned, and many public structures and buildings were the first to go. Based on a collated database of more than 350 structures, this study examines the physical evidence for temple conversion from the mid-5th century onwards drawing on examples from the province of Cilicia. Historical and archaeological evidence is combined in Bayliss' analysis of the mechanics, logistics, chronology and socio-political processes involved in the piecemeal or total appropriation of pagan temples. His study raises but does not seek to answer questions of the symbolism of re-use, de-consecration, abandonment or destruction, focusing instead on the physical issues of the Christianisation of the built environment. Includes lots of plans and photographs of buildings.