Constitutio Antoniniana : an edict for the Caracallan Empire
The constitutio Antoniniana represents one of the most important legal documents of the Roman imperial period. By means of this edict, the emperor Caracalla enfranchised nearly every free person living within the borders of his empire. Despite its apparent significance, though, the constitutio remains a controversial document among modern scholars. Some consider it to be the logical conclusion to an evolutionary process in Roman citizenship that took over two centuries to achieve. Others, however, believe that it is a meaningless document given retrospective importance, changing little in the daily lives of the empire's population and representing nothing more than a superficial initiative brought forth by an absolute monarch. The primary focus of this thesis concerns the various reasons that Caracalla might have had for passing the constitutio Antoniniana in the opening half of AD 212. By considering elements such as the emperor's fascination with Alexander the Great and religious perspective, as well as issues surrounding the Roman imperial economy and army, I will construct an image of the constitutio that is more multi-faceted than has been presented in the past. The common thread running through these
Imrie, Alex
constitutio Antoniniana ; Caracalla ; Severan ; citizenship ; Roman Empire ; ancient history
Constitutio Antoniniana : an edict for the Caracallan Empire. The constitutio Antoniniana represents one of the most important legal documents of the Roman imperial period. By means of this edict, the emperor Caracalla enfranchised nearly every free person living within the borders of his empire. Despite its apparent significance, though, the constitutio remains a controversial document among modern scholars. Some consider it to be the logical conclusion to an evolutionary process in Roman citizenship that took over two centuries to achieve. Others, however, believe that it is a meaningless document given retrospective importance, changing little in the daily lives of the empire's population and representing nothing more than a superficial initiative brought forth by an absolute monarch. The primary focus of this thesis concerns the various reasons that Caracalla might have had for passing the constitutio Antoniniana in the opening half of AD 212. By considering elements such as the emperor's fascination with Alexander the Great and religious perspective, as well as issues surrounding the Roman imperial economy and army, I will construct an image of the constitutio that is more multi-faceted than has been presented in the past. The common thread running through these
edict empire represent one_important legal document roman_imperial period mean edict emperor caracalla enfranchise nearly every free person live within border empire despite apparent significance though remain controversial document among modern_scholar consider logical conclusion evolutionary_process roman citizenship take achieve others however believe meaningless document give retrospective importance change little daily_life empire population represent nothing superficial initiative bring forth absolute monarch primary_focus concern various reason caracalla might pass open half consider element emperor fascination alexander_great religious perspective well issue_surround roman_imperial economy army construct image multi_faceted present past common_thread run