The Relationship between Cities and Provincial Governors during the Reigns of Diocletian and Constantine : The Case of curatores rei publicae in the African Provinces

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Other Title
  • ディオクレティアヌス、コンスタンティヌス帝治世における都市・総督関係 : 北アフリカにおける都市監督官curator rei publicaeの活動をめぐって
  • ディオクレティアヌス コンスタンティヌステイ チセイ ニ オケル トシ ソウトク カンケイ キタアフリカ ニ オケル トシ カントクカン curator rei publicae ノ カツドウ オ メグッテ

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Abstract

In the reign of Diocletian (r.284-305) and Constantine (r.306-337), various reforms were implemented in accordance with social changes brought about by the so-called "crisis of the 3rd century". Among these reforms, urban autonomy was a very important issue. Many scholars have argued that provincial governors strengthened their control over the cities during the reign of Diocletian, and have regarded curatores rei publicae as the means. The aim of this article is to reconsider urban autonomy during that age by examining the relationship between curatores rei publicae and provincial governors in the African provinces. From Diocletian's reign on, the sources regarding curatores rei publicae increased. Up till now, it is estimated that the emperors sent each city curatores rei publicae to manage the administration of the city at the wishes of the provincial governors. It is also suggested that provincial reorganization may have affected this change. However there are inscriptions and rescripts from the reign of Constantine showing that curatores rei publicae did not exist in every city; and a rescript of Diocletian tells us that a juvenile was appointed curator rei publicae, meaning that curatores rei publicae did not always administer cities. Moreover, in examining minutely inscriptions in the African provinces, the author finds that cities themselves took the initiative in public works in many cases. On the other hand, there is no evidence that provincial governors promoted public works, except for governors who commanded troops; and the number of curatores rei publicae did not increase after provincial reorganization. Therefore, it cannot be proven that provincial governors strengthened their control over cities at that time. During the reign of Diocletian, as a result of the stabilization of political conditions, cities were able to resume public works and repair more actively, and more public works were paid by public money. Therefore cities needed more curatores rei publicae in order to ask permission from the imperial authority, and many curatores rei publicae were recorded on inscriptions during that time. We must not conclude, however, that increasing centralization arose from "the crisis of the 3^<rd> century".

Journal

  • SHIGAKU ZASSHI

    SHIGAKU ZASSHI 115 (1), 1-31, 2006

    The Historical Society of Japan

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