Orcistus used yet another shrewd tactic in its petition. This tactic was unstated but readily apparent: the petition was in Latin. In its petition Orcistus described itself as located on the frontier between eastern Phrygia and western Galatia. In this borderland several languages were common. The native language of Phrygian remained in use well into the Roman empire. Not only were some dedications inscribed in Phrygian, but in the later fourth century a bishop whose mother was from the region was still able to preach in Phrygian. Latin was the language of Roman imperial administration. Some local inscriptions were in Latin, primarily milestones and some of the dedications to emperors. The imperial slaves and freedmen who settled in Nacolea presumably used Latin in their official communications, and one freedman inscribed some of the provisions of his will in Latin. But “in Phrygia Latin never became a popular language.” Greek culture trumped imperial administration, even Roman administration. The common spoken language, certainly for local notables and probably for most ordinary people too, was now Greek, and most municipal and private inscriptions in the region were in Greek.

LANGUAGE OF CULTURE AND LANGUAGE OF POWER

Since languages were such pointed indicators of essential ideas about power, administration, culture, and religion, their imposition and interaction were always contested. As in other empires, the use of a new, unfamiliar language was a sign of cultural and political domination, as the conquerors insisted that the conquered conform to their preferences, or as new subjects decided it was to their advantage to follow the lead of their rulers.