The Antonine Constitution: An Edict for the Caracallan Empire

Description

"In The Antonine Constitution, Alex Imrie approaches the famous edict of AD 212 from numerous angles, offering an assessment of its rationale that is rooted in the dynamic period of the early third century. Controversial since its discovery, it is depicted here as a keystone in Caracalla's attempt to revolutionise the public image of the Severan dynasty after murdering his brother. There is an inherent paradox between the apparently progressive nature of the edict, and the volatile emperor responsible for it. The enigma is only heightened by a dearth of ancient evidence relating to the legislation. By combining literary and material evidence with the surviving papyrological record, Alex Imrie shows that Caracalla's rationale is best understood in an embedded context"-- Contents Preface List of Abbreviations List of Figures, Table and Illustration Introduction The Antonine Constitution in Scholarship An Edict for the Caracallan Empire Chapter 1 Contexts The Historical Context: 193–212 CE The Antonine Constitution in Ancient Literature The Role of the Jurists The Antonine Constitution and the Giessen Papyrus Chapter 2 The Fiscal Rationale Early Imperial Economic Activity Decline and Crisis in the High Empire The Severan Recovery The Economy under Caracalla The Economic Function of the Antonine Constitution The Vicesima Hereditatum The Purpose of Caracallan Fiscal Innovation Chapter 3 The Military Rationale Obstacles to Legionary Recruitment The Severan Reforms The Military Application of the Antonine Constitution Chapter 4 Alexander Imitatio Alexandrian Influences in the Antonine Constitution Alexander Iconography in the Caracallan Empire The Political Significance of Alexander Iconography Chapter 5 Securing the Caracallan Empire The Drive for Aequitas Re-writing the Severan Past A Religious Offering The Indulgentissimus Princeps A Social Contract Epilogue Appendix Text, Translation and Commentary of the Giessen Papyrus Bibliography Index of Names Index of Places General Index