Lecture 24. Emperors and Frontiers
I. Trends
A. Divided Rule v. Dynasty:Constantine's long rule leads to long dynasty; Struggle within dynasty; Ususpers; East / West Rivalry
B. Growth of the Army: 600,000; militarization (militia); use of barbarian soldiery (unit names); command (e.g. Arbogast controls Valentinian II)
C. New Elites: New Seante: 600 > 2,000 (in Rome) + 2,000 (in Constantinople); professional bureaucracy leads to Senate
Bishops: Powers = revenue; tax exemption; manumission of slaves; audientia episcopalis (judge in lawcourt cases); influence over emperor (Ambrose / Theodosius I: Callinicum synagogue; Thessalonica)
II.Dynasty and Divided Rule
A.
Imperial Division of 337
Constantine II West (337-340); Constans Center (337-350); Constantius II East (337-361) + two nephews
Divisiveness and Intrigue: Nephews murdered; then Constantine II defeated by Constans; then Constans defeated by usurper (Magnentius)
B.
The Complications of Sole Rule:
Constantius appoints cousins as Caesars (Gallus... then Julian)
Murders
Gallus (354) but appoints Julian Caesar
Julian proclaimed full emperor (Augustus) by troops (360)
Constantius
dies before civil war begins (361)
III.Paganism Revived
A.
Julian (Augustus 360-363): Apostate (turn
from Christianity to paganism)
B.
Paganism: Sacrifice renewed; Temple Revival (Jerusalem); No Christian
Teachers; Church Destruction (Babylas)
C. Persian
Expedition (363): Alexander / Trajan Imitation
IV. Disaster
A. Valentinian and Valens (364-378): End of Constantinian Dynasty = return to Balkan soldier emperors
B. Unceasing Military operations: Rhine (Alamanni); Danube (Sarmatians and Goths); Tigris / Euphrates (Persians)
C. Adrianople (378): Visigoths kill Valens and 2/3 of Eastern army
V. The End of Unity
A.
Gratian (367-383) elects Theodosius I
(379-395)
Visigoths
made Federates (protectorate inside Roman territory; obliged to fight
for Rome)
B.
Usurpers: Theodosius uses Goths against Maximus; then against Arbogast
/ Eugenius
C.
Battle of Frigidus (394): Last gasp of Paganism
Final
split of E / W (395): Beginning of Byzantine Empire
VI. Paganism to Christianity
A. "Paganism" a Christian construct: No one religion; easy to attack
B. Sacrifice banned: by Constantine?; Constantius (341); Theodosius (391)
C. Persecution of Pagans: Temple of Serapis in Alexandria, 391
