Description
Book SynopsisIn 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.
Trade Review"In conclusion, this book is a good introduction both to the CA and to related scholarship. Chapter 1, on historical and literary contexts, makes the topic accessible and interesting to a broad audience of specialist and non-specialist readers alike. The discussion of the practical rationales in chapters 2 and 3 is comprehensive and summarizes, with added nuance, the general state of scholarship on the matter..." Lydia Schriemer in BMCR 2019.03.28 "To close, the year 212 will continue to feature in any history of later Rome. What Imrie's book does very well is force us to ask both new and old questions of this moment, of the actual physical copies of the edict and the emperor and dynasty shaping this shift. This is then certainly a worthwhile read, with elements that show great promise." Anthony Smart, CJ-Online, 2019.11.07.
Table of ContentsPreface List of Abbreviations List of Figures, Table and Illustration Introduction The Antonine Constitution in Scholarship An Edict for the Caracallan Empire 1 Contexts The Historical Context: 193–212 The Antonine Constitution in Ancient Literature The Role of the Jurists The Antonine Constitution and the Giessen Papyrus 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 3 The Military Rationale Obstacles to Legionary Recruitment The Severan Reforms The Military Application of the Antonine Constitution 4 Alexander Imitatio Alexandrian Influences in the Antonine Constitution Alexander Iconography in the Caracallan Empire The Political Significance of Alexander Iconography 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
