State aristocracy : resident senators and absent emperors in Late-Antique Rome, c. 320-400
In the early fourth century AD, the Roman Empire underwent at least two significant transformations in the ways it was governed. Firstly, Rome ceased to be the residence of emperors. From the last visit of the emperor Constantine in 326 until the end of the century, there were only two imperial visits to Rome. Secondly, a series of ceremonial, institutional and fiscal recalibrations magnified the visibility and extractive capacity of the imperial state. This doctoral thesis explores the impact of these developments on senators in Rome. Late Roman aristocrats were an imperial aristocracy, whose social life, cultural identity and economic survival were inextricably intertwined with the institutions of the Roman state. Imperial withdrawal and the late-antique strenghthening of imperial institutions did not lead to the outbreak of a fierce ideological conflict between resident senators and court, but rather intensified divisions within aristocratic society. New fiscal pressures, a rise in competitive expenditure and a narrowing of access to senior government posts had the consequence that many aristocrats could no longer participate in the competition for honour, wealth and offices. But not all suffered from the
Weisweiler, John
Rome (Italy)--History--To 476
State aristocracy : resident senators and absent emperors in Late-Antique Rome, c. 320-400. In the early fourth century AD, the Roman Empire underwent at least two significant transformations in the ways it was governed. Firstly, Rome ceased to be the residence of emperors. From the last visit of the emperor Constantine in 326 until the end of the century, there were only two imperial visits to Rome. Secondly, a series of ceremonial, institutional and fiscal recalibrations magnified the visibility and extractive capacity of the imperial state. This doctoral thesis explores the impact of these developments on senators in Rome. Late Roman aristocrats were an imperial aristocracy, whose social life, cultural identity and economic survival were inextricably intertwined with the institutions of the Roman state. Imperial withdrawal and the late-antique strenghthening of imperial institutions did not lead to the outbreak of a fierce ideological conflict between resident senators and court, but rather intensified divisions within aristocratic society. New fiscal pressures, a rise in competitive expenditure and a narrowing of access to senior government posts had the consequence that many aristocrats could no longer participate in the competition for honour, wealth and offices. But not all suffered from the
state aristocracy resident senator absent emperor late antique rome roman_empire underwent least_two significant transformation way govern firstly rome cease residence emperor last visit emperor constantine imperial visit rome secondly series ceremonial institutional fiscal magnify visibility extractive capacity imperial state doctoral explores_impact development senator rome late_roman imperial aristocracy whose social_life cultural_identity economic survival inextricably intertwine institution roman state imperial withdrawal late_antique imperial institution lead outbreak fierce ideological conflict resident senator court rather intensified division_within aristocratic society new fiscal pressure rise competitive expenditure narrow access senior government post consequence many aristocrat could longer participate competition honour wealth office suffer