Call for papers and posters “Visible and Invisible Frontiers in Roman and Late Antique Thrace” Seventh International Conference “Roman and Late Antique Thrace” (RaLATh), 1 – 4 October 2026, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

In Graeco-Roman tradition, ancient Thrace was often perceived as a region at the frontier of the civilized world. In Roman and Late antique times, its key location and physical landscape features led to its quickly changing historical roles, among which those of a barrier and periphery. In the meantime, several transformations happened within the region itself: borders of urban territories were reshaped, cities passed under different administrative jurisdictions, new provinces emerged. Furthermore, several invisible division lines existed within the cities and their territories, and among the population – in terms of status, economy, background, culture etc.

The Seventh RaLATh Conference seeks to explore these visible and invisible limits that characterized Thrace. Scholars of various academic backgrounds are invited to share their insights on topics including, but not limited to:

- the region of Thrace and its physical frontiers: the seacoasts, rivers, mountains;

- the administrative borders of and within Roman and Late antique Thrace;

- Thrace as a periphery;

- Thrace and its neighbors;

- the intangible divisions among the population of Thrace: religion, language etc.;

- the study of Thrace beyond the challenges of modern political borders.

This time, the conference will be hosted in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, with an organized trip to Nicopolis ad Istrum and other monuments in the vicinity.

Papers should not exceed 20 minutes. Posters should be of A1 size (594 x 841 mm). Authors should be aware of copyright regulations and will be responsible for bringing and presenting their printed posters. Conference languages: English, German, French.

Paper proposals of up to 300 words and poster proposals of up to 200 words should be sent to

romanthraceconference@gmail.com. Deadline: 20 January 2026.

Candidates will be notified of the committee’s decision by 10 March 2026.

No fee is required from the participants and the attendees of the conference.

The event is organized by the National Archaeological Institute with Museum – Sofia and the Regional Museum of History – Veliko Tarnovo, in partnership with Istanbul University, Turkey, and the Ephorates of Antiquities of Rhodope, Hebros and Xanthi, Greece.