The Egyptian Royal Titularies of the Roman Emperors: A Local Version of the Imitatio Alexandri?

Examination of the Egyptian titularies of the Roman emperors shows that, some novelties notwithstanding, they retain numerous epithets and expressions already present in the protocols of previous rulers. In this respect, it is possible to establish a number of connections with the Ptolemies, as well as notable links with Alexander the Great. This paper aims to analyse all of these borrowings in order to determine their precise meaning and scope. The verbal connections evoking the Macedonian king in Octavian Augustus’ titulary are interpreted here as an Egyptian example of the comparatio Alexandri, while those in the Egyptian names of the remaining emperors are evaluated within the framework of the imitatio (or comparatio) Augusti.