Paganus. Verso la trasformazione della cittadinanza nella tarda antichità

This thesis aims to analyse the semantic trajectory of the word paganus from its origins to late antiquity, when the concept was used to refer to those who were not Christians, a meaning that is also found in the modern equivalents of the word. Starting from etymological and methodological issues, the thesis describes the semantic shifts of the word paganus from its original relationship with pagus to its definitive use in late antiquity, showing continuity and discontinuity that are linked to the general history of Rome. The aim of the thesis is to place the semantic trajectory of paganus within the more general religious history of Rome up to its Christianisation, showing how religious changes were accompanied by social and economic changes. These latter factors must also be taken into account in reconstructing the meaning of paganus.