Crisis before "the crisis": decline and fall of the "Tarraconensis" at the end of the High Empire

20182018 Römische Siedlungen und die „Reichskrise” im 3. Jh. n. Chr.Römische Siedlungen und die „Reichskrise” im 3. Jh. n. Chr. 11
Crisis before “the crisis”Crisis before “the crisis”
decline and fall of thedecline and fall of the TarraconensisTarraconensis at the endat the end
of the High Empireof the High Empire

Ancient viewsAncient views usus. new approaches. new approaches
Some new issues connected with the main problem discussed in our paperSome new issues connected with the main problem discussed in our paper

On a new publication on that subjectOn a new publication on that subject

A new model of comprehension of an essential questionA new model of comprehension of an essential question

The end of the “golden age”The end of the “golden age”
Cassius DioCassius Dio
(155-235 AD)(155-235 AD)
Roman HistoryRoman History 72, 36, 472, 36, 4
<<<< This matterThis matter [the problems on the relationship[the problems on the relationship
between Marcus Aurelius and Commodus]between Marcus Aurelius and Commodus] must bemust be
our next topic; for our history now descends from aour next topic; for our history now descends from a
kingdom of goldkingdom of gold (jrysés té basiléias)(jrysés té basiléias) to one of ironto one of iron
and rustand rust (katapesúsés tés jistorías)(katapesúsés tés jistorías) as affairs did foras affairs did for
the Romans of that daythe Romans of that day >>>>

On the so-calledOn the so-called oppida labentiaoppida labentia
SHA.SHA. MarcMarc. 23, 4. 23, 4
<<<< He himself was very sparing of the publicHe himself was very sparing of the public
money in giving largessmoney in giving largess (in largitionibus(in largitionibus
pecuniae publicae)pecuniae publicae), a fact which we mention, a fact which we mention
rather in praise tan in disparagement, butrather in praise tan in disparagement, but
nevertheless he gave financial assistance to thenevertheless he gave financial assistance to the
deserving, furnished aid, to towns on the brink ofdeserving, furnished aid, to towns on the brink of
ruinruin (oppidis labentibus)(oppidis labentibus), and, when necessity, and, when necessity
demanded, cancelled tribute or taxesdemanded, cancelled tribute or taxes >>>>Historia AugustaHistoria Augusta
(117-284 AD)(117-284 AD)

InfirmitasInfirmitas,, tenuitastenuitas,, difficultatesdifficultates
AEAE 1962, 288 from1962, 288 from MuniguaMunigua: on sustainability challenges of cities in Spain: on sustainability challenges of cities in Spain

Our panel to the 19th AIAC Conference in Cologne-Bonn (May, 2018)Our panel to the 19th AIAC Conference in Cologne-Bonn (May, 2018)

The cities of Hispania: a facade of wellfare?The cities of Hispania: a facade of wellfare?
Epigrafía Jurídica de la España RomanaEpigrafía Jurídica de la España Romana, Madrid, 1953, p. 142, Madrid, 1953, p. 142
<<<< El auge del desarrollo de la vida municipalEl auge del desarrollo de la vida municipal
suele colocarse en el siglo II y, concretamente parasuele colocarse en el siglo II y, concretamente para
España, en la época de Adriano, ya desde Trajano.España, en la época de Adriano, ya desde Trajano.
Pero no deja de ser verdad que tal apogeo era másPero no deja de ser verdad que tal apogeo era más
bien una apariencia de bienestar generalbien una apariencia de bienestar general [facade of[facade of
wellfare]wellfare], explotado por pequeños grupos, explotado por pequeños grupos
caciquiles, y que, pese a las apariencias, lacaciquiles, y que, pese a las apariencias, la
organización de las ciudades carecía de aquellasorganización de las ciudades carecía de aquellas
reservas de vital autonomía necesariasreservas de vital autonomía necesarias [financial[financial
reserves]reserves] para superar la decadencia en quepara superar la decadencia en que
inmediatamente incurrieron. La ruina del Imperioinmediatamente incurrieron. La ruina del Imperio
[ruin of Empire][ruin of Empire] fue precedida de una ruina de lasfue precedida de una ruina de las
ciudadesciudades [ruin of cities in advance] >>[ruin of cities in advance] >>
Álvaro D’OrsÁlvaro D’Ors
(1915-(1915-
2004)2004)

Ideology and bases of municipal systemIdeology and bases of municipal system
The recognition of municipal working of communities by the Flavian periodThe recognition of municipal working of communities by the Flavian period

Obsessed with theObsessed with the pecunia communispecunia communis
Lex IrnitanaLex Irnitana, Ch. 20 [, Ch. 20 [De iure et potestate quaestorumDe iure et potestate quaestorum]]
<<<< And they are to have the right and power ofAnd they are to have the right and power of
collectingcollecting (exigendi)(exigendi),, spendingspending ((erogandierogandi)),, keepingkeeping
((custodiendicustodiendi)),, administeringadministering ((atministrandiatministrandi)) andand
looking afterlooking after ((dispensandidispensandi)) the common funds ofthe common funds of
the municipes of that municipiumthe municipes of that municipium ((pecuniapecunia
communem municipumcommunem municipum)) at the discretion of theat the discretion of the
duumviriduumviri >>>>Lex Irnitana (91
AD)

Lex IrnitanaLex Irnitana, Ch. 60 [, Ch. 60 [Vt de pecunia communi municipum caueatur ab hisVt de pecunia communi municipum caueatur ab his]]
<<<< Those who in that municipium seek theThose who in that municipium seek the
duumvirate or the quaestorship or are forced intoduumvirate or the quaestorship or are forced into
that position by being nominatedthat position by being nominated (…)(…),, each of them,each of them,
on the day ot which the election is held, before theon the day ot which the election is held, before the
votes are cast, is to provided at the discretion of thevotes are cast, is to provided at the discretion of the
person who holds that election praedes to theperson who holds that election praedes to the
common account of the municipes, that theircommon account of the municipes, that their
common funds which he handels in the course ofcommon funds which he handels in the course of
this office will be kept safe for themthis office will be kept safe for them (pecuniam(pecuniam
communem municipum saluam is fore)communem municipum saluam is fore) >>>>
Lex Irnitana (91
AD)

Lex IrnitanaLex Irnitana, Ch. 80 [, Ch. 80 [De pecunia publica mutua sumendaDe pecunia publica mutua sumenda]]
<<<< If the decuriones or conscripti of thatIf the decuriones or conscripti of that
municipium decide under oath by ballot, when notmunicipium decide under oath by ballot, when not
less than three quarters of them are present, thatless than three quarters of them are present, that
any loan is to be raised for the use of theany loan is to be raised for the use of the resres
publicapublica of theof the municium Flauium Irnitanummunicium Flauium Irnitanum andand
those funds are ‘entered as spent’ to the municipes,those funds are ‘entered as spent’ to the municipes,
provided that no more than 50.000 sesterces areprovided that no more than 50.000 sesterces are
‘entered as spent’‘entered as spent’ ((erogatio pecuniaeerogatio pecuniae)) to them into them in
one year, except with the authorization of theone year, except with the authorization of the
person who governs that province (…)person who governs that province (…) >>>>
Lex Irnitana (91
AD)

Lex IrnitanaLex Irnitana, Ch. 79 [, Ch. 79 [De pecunia communi municipum erogandaDe pecunia communi municipum eroganda]]
<<<< (…) nor is he to propose it to the municipes of(…) nor is he to propose it to the municipes of
that municipium, nor is he to distribute or dividethat municipium, nor is he to distribute or divide
up or allot their common funds to thhe colonists ofup or allot their common funds to thhe colonists of
the decuriones or conscriptithe decuriones or conscripti (distribuenda,(distribuenda,
diuidenda, discribenda inter municipes)diuidenda, discribenda inter municipes), nor is he, nor is he
to raise with the decuriones or conscriptito raise with the decuriones or conscripti
alienating, reducing, spending or lending in thealienating, reducing, spending or lending in the
name of the municipes the funds which are thename of the municipes the funds which are the
common funds of the municipes (…) when fewercommon funds of the municipes (…) when fewer
are present than could make up three quarters ofare present than could make up three quarters of
the whole number of decuriones or conscripti >>the whole number of decuriones or conscripti >>
Lex Irnitana (91
AD)

Thinking about theThinking about the res communisres communis tootoo
Lex IrnitanaLex Irnitana, Ch. 26 [, Ch. 26 [De iure iurando IIuirorum et aedilium et quaestorumDe iure iurando IIuirorum et aedilium et quaestorum]]
<<<< (…) and that he will not knowingly and whit(…) and that he will not knowingly and whit
wrongful intent do anything contrary to this statuewrongful intent do anything contrary to this statue
(ex hac lege)(ex hac lege) or to the common good of theor to the common good of the
municipes of that municipiummunicipes of that municipium (exque re communi(exque re communi
municipum)municipum) and that he will restrain those whom heand that he will restrain those whom he
is able to restrain and that he will neither initiate ais able to restrain and that he will neither initiate a
coursecourse (of action)(of action) nor advise it nor express annor advise it nor express an
opinion otherwise tan he believes to be acoording toopinion otherwise tan he believes to be acoording to
this statute and to the common good of thethis statute and to the common good of the
municipes of that municipiummunicipes of that municipium ((res communisres communis
municipummunicipum)) (…) Anyone who has not sworn in this(…) Anyone who has not sworn in this
way is to be condemned to pay 10,000 sesterces to theway is to be condemned to pay 10,000 sesterces to the
municipes of that municipiummunicipes of that municipium >>>>
Lex Irnitana (91
AD)

TheThe res prolataeres prolatae and the farming basesand the farming bases
Lex IrnitanaLex Irnitana, Ch. K [, Ch. K [De rebus proferendisDe rebus proferendis]]
<<<< (…) for what period within their term of office(…) for what period within their term of office
they wish business to be postponed for the harvestthey wish business to be postponed for the harvest
or the vintageor the vintage (per quos dies res prolatas intra(per quos dies res prolatas intra
suum honorem messis vindemiae causa) >>suum honorem messis vindemiae causa) >>
Lex Irnitana (91
AD)

AAdlectio ad numerumdlectio ad numerum and compromiseand compromise
Lex IrnitanaLex Irnitana, Ch. 31 [, Ch. 31 [De conuocandis edicto decuriones aut sublegendos…De conuocandis edicto decuriones aut sublegendos…]]
<<<< In any year in which there are fewer tan 63In any year in which there are fewer tan 63
decuriones or conscripti in that municipiumdecuriones or conscripti in that municipium (…)(…)
unless choice or choice in replacement of decurionesunless choice or choice in replacement of decuriones
or conscripti has already taken place in that yearor conscripti has already taken place in that year
(facta decurionum conscriptorumue lectio sublectio)(facta decurionum conscriptorumue lectio sublectio)
the duumviri in charge of the administration ofthe duumviri in charge of the administration of
justice in that year, either or both of them at thejustice in that year, either or both of them at the
earliest posible opportunity, as they may thinkearliest posible opportunity, as they may think
proper, are to raise with the decuriones or conscriptiproper, are to raise with the decuriones or conscripti
(…) in replacement or substitution of those whose(…) in replacement or substitution of those whose
addition to the number of decuriones or conscriptiaddition to the number of decuriones or conscripti
will lead to the presence of 63 decuriones orwill lead to the presence of 63 decuriones or
conscripti in that municipiumconscripti in that municipium >>>>
Lex Irnitana (91
AD)

MunitionesMunitiones, compromise and public duties, compromise and public duties
Lex IrnitanaLex Irnitana, Ch. 83 [, Ch. 83 [De munitioneDe munitione]]
<<<< (…) whoever is a(…) whoever is a municepsmuniceps oror incolaincola of thatof that
municipium or lives or has a field or fields within themunicipium or lives or has a field or fields within the
boundaries of that municipium, all of them are to beboundaries of that municipium, all of them are to be
obliged to give, carry out and provide those days ofobliged to give, carry out and provide those days of
workwork (munitione damni cui facttum erit ex re(munitione damni cui facttum erit ex re
cmmuni it aestimetur)cmmuni it aestimetur) >>>>
Lex Irnitana (91
AD)

On early financial problems on citiesOn early financial problems on cities
Plin.Plin. EpEp. 10, 17b & 18. 10, 17b & 18
<<<< [Pliny to Trajan][Pliny to Trajan] I entered this province on theI entered this province on the
17th of September (…); for I am inclined to think17th of September (…); for I am inclined to think
much might be deducted from what is charged bymuch might be deducted from what is charged by
those who have the conduct of the public works if athose who have the conduct of the public works if a
faithful admeasurement were to be taken: at least Ifaithful admeasurement were to be taken: at least I
am of that opinion from what I have already seen ofam of that opinion from what I have already seen of
the accounts of this city (…)the accounts of this city (…) [Trajan to Pliny][Trajan to Pliny] TheThe
examination of the public accountsexamination of the public accounts (rationes rerum(rationes rerum
publicarum)publicarum) ought certainly to be your firstought certainly to be your first
employment, as they are evident in great desorderemployment, as they are evident in great desorder
(eas uexatas satis constat)(eas uexatas satis constat) >>>>
Pliny the YoungerPliny the Younger
(61-113 AD)(61-113 AD)

Again on towns of the brink of ruinAgain on towns of the brink of ruin
SHA.SHA. Ant. PiusAnt. Pius 8, 48, 4
<<<< Beside all this, he helped many communitiesBeside all this, he helped many communities
(multas ciuitates adiuuit pecunia)(multas ciuitates adiuuit pecunia) to erect newto erect new
buildings and to restore the oldbuildings and to restore the old (ut opera noua(ut opera noua
facerent uel uetera restituerent)facerent uel uetera restituerent); and he even; and he even
gave pecuniary aid to Roman magistrates andgave pecuniary aid to Roman magistrates and
senators to assist them in the performance ofsenators to assist them in the performance of
their duties >>their duties >>Historia Augusta
(117-284 AD)

A very monumental Roman city in Uncastillo, Zaragoza, SpainA very monumental Roman city in Uncastillo, Zaragoza, Spain
The evidences of Los BañalesThe evidences of Los Bañales

A very impressive Roman city in Eslava, Navarra, SpainA very impressive Roman city in Eslava, Navarra, Spain
The evidences of Santa Criz de EslavaThe evidences of Santa Criz de Eslava

AA check-listcheck-list for the urbanfor the urban decusdecus
CILCIL III, 352 fromIII, 352 from OrcistusOrcistus
<<<< (…); and that there is an abundant supply(…); and that there is an abundant supply
of waterof water (aquarum abundans afluentia)(aquarum abundans afluentia), and, and
public as well as private bathspublic as well as private baths (labacra(labacra
publica priuataque)publica priuataque), and a forum adorned, and a forum adorned
with statues of former emperorswith statues of former emperors (forum(forum
statuis ueterum principum ornatum)statuis ueterum principum ornatum), and a, and a
populace of inhabitants so abundantpopulace of inhabitants so abundant
(populum commanentium)(populum commanentium) that the seatsthat the seats
there are easily filled; furthermore, from thethere are easily filled; furthermore, from the
water channels running past, there is anwater channels running past, there is an
abundant number of whater-millsabundant number of whater-mills (aquarum(aquarum
aquimolinarum numerum copiosum) >>aquimolinarum numerum copiosum) >>

Los Bañales, anLos Bañales, an oppidum labensoppidum labens
The abandonment of the forum’s basilicaThe abandonment of the forum’s basilica

The evidences of Santa Criz de EslavaThe evidences of Santa Criz de Eslava
Architectural and financial problems in a small-size cityArchitectural and financial problems in a small-size city

ParapetasiaParapetasia and ilegal constructions in some spaces at the forumand ilegal constructions in some spaces at the forum

The end of the oficial sculptural programmesThe end of the oficial sculptural programmes

The end of theThe end of the aquarum afluentiaaquarum afluentia from the dam of the aquaeductfrom the dam of the aquaeduct

The effect of the “Antonine plague”The effect of the “Antonine plague”
Eutrop. 8, 12 (& Cass. Dio 72, 14, 3-4)Eutrop. 8, 12 (& Cass. Dio 72, 14, 3-4)
<<<< (…) since, under the emperor(…) since, under the emperor [Marcus[Marcus
Aurelius]Aurelius], after the victory over the Partians, after the victory over the Partians [and[and
over the Marcomani, on 174 AD]over the Marcomani, on 174 AD] there occurredthere occurred
so destructive a pestilenceso destructive a pestilence (casus pestilentiae(casus pestilentiae
fuit)fuit) that at Rome, and throughout Italy and thethat at Rome, and throughout Italy and the
provinces, the greater part of the inhabitantsprovinces, the greater part of the inhabitants
(maxima hominum pars defecit)(maxima hominum pars defecit) and almost alland almost all
the tropos, sunk under the diseasethe tropos, sunk under the disease >>>>
Eutropius
(c. 363
AD)

The repression of Clodius Albinus’ revoltThe repression of Clodius Albinus’ revolt
SHA.SHA. Sept. Seu.Sept. Seu. 1212
<<<< Countless persons who had sided with AlbinusCountless persons who had sided with Albinus
were put to deathwere put to death (interfectis innumeris Albini(interfectis innumeris Albini
partium uiris)partium uiris), among them numerous leading men, among them numerous leading men
and many distinguished women, and their goodsand many distinguished women, and their goods
were confiscated and went to swell the publicwere confiscated and went to swell the public
treasury. Many nobles of the Gauls and Spains weretreasury. Many nobles of the Gauls and Spains were
also put to death at this timealso put to death at this time (cum Hispanorum et(cum Hispanorum et
Gallorum proceres multi occisi sunt)Gallorum proceres multi occisi sunt) (…) Yet, as a(…) Yet, as a
result of these confiscations, he left his sons aresult of these confiscations, he left his sons a
fortune greater tan any other emperor had left to hisfortune greater tan any other emperor had left to his
heirs, for he had made a large part of the gold in theheirs, for he had made a large part of the gold in the
Gauls, SpainsGauls, Spains (magnam partem auri per Galias, per(magnam partem auri per Galias, per
Hispanias)Hispanias) and Italy imperial propertyand Italy imperial property >>>>
Historia Augusta
(117-284 AD)

Tiberius Claudius Candidus (Tiberius Claudius Candidus (CILCIL IIII22
/14-2, 975)/14-2, 975)
Tib(erio) ·Tib(erio) · Cl(audio)·Cl(audio)· Candido ·Candido · c(on)s(uli)c(on)s(uli)
XVuir(o)· s(acris)· f(aciundis)·XVuir(o)· s(acris)· f(aciundis)· leg(ato) ·leg(ato) · Augg(ustorum)Augg(ustorum)
pr(o)· pr(aetore)· prouinc(iae) H(ispaniae)·pr(o)· pr(aetore)· prouinc(iae) H(ispaniae)· C(iterioris) ·C(iterioris) ·
et in ea duci terra mariqueet in ea duci terra marique
55
aduersus rebelles hh(ostes) pp(ublicos)aduersus rebelles hh(ostes) pp(ublicos)
item Asiae item Noricaeitem Asiae item Noricae
duci exercitus Illyriciduci exercitus Illyrici
expeditione Asiana item Parthicaexpeditione Asiana item Parthica
item Gallica logistae ciuitatisitem Gallica logistae ciuitatis
1010
splendidissimae Nicomedensiumsplendidissimae Nicomedensium
item Ephesiorum leg(ato) pr(o) pr(aetore) prouin(ciae)item Ephesiorum leg(ato) pr(o) pr(aetore) prouin(ciae)
Asiae cur(atori) ciuitatis TeanensiumAsiae cur(atori) ciuitatis Teanensium
allecto inter praetorios itemallecto inter praetorios item
tribunicios proc(uratori) XX hered(itatium) pertribunicios proc(uratori) XX hered(itatium) per
1515
Gallias Lugdunensem et BelGallias Lugdunensem et Bel
gicam et utramqu(ue) Germaniamgicam et utramqu(ue) Germaniam
praeposito copiarum expeditipraeposito copiarum expediti
onis Germanicae secundaeonis Germanicae secundae
trib(uno) mil(itum) leg(ionis) II Aug(ustae) praefectotrib(uno) mil(itum) leg(ionis) II Aug(ustae) praefecto
2020
coh(o)rtis secundae ciuiumcoh(o)rtis secundae ciuium
romanorum Silius Hospes hastatus leg(ionis) Xromanorum Silius Hospes hastatus leg(ionis) X
Geminae strator eiusGeminae strator eius
optimo praesidioptimo praesidi

Depopulation because of theDepopulation because of the pestilentiapestilentia??
The case ofThe case of LabitolosaLabitolosa (La Puebla de Castro, Huesca, Spain)(La Puebla de Castro, Huesca, Spain)

A consequence of the official repression?A consequence of the official repression?
On the so-calledOn the so-called urbs truncaurbs trunca ofof colonia Itucicolonia Ituci (Torreparedones, Córdoba, Spain)(Torreparedones, Córdoba, Spain)

Crisis on the basis of economic problemsCrisis on the basis of economic problems
SegobrigaSegobriga (Saelices, Cuenca, Spain) and the(Saelices, Cuenca, Spain) and the lapis specularislapis specularis

Crisis on the basis of economic problemsCrisis on the basis of economic problems
SisapoSisapo (La Bienvenida, Ciudad Real, Spain) and the cinnabar(La Bienvenida, Ciudad Real, Spain) and the cinnabar

Crisis as a consequence of urban competitionCrisis as a consequence of urban competition
The case of the competition betweenThe case of the competition between LucentumLucentum (Alicante) and(Alicante) and IliciIlici (Elche, Spain)(Elche, Spain)

Crisis before “the crisis”: final reflectionCrisis before “the crisis”: final reflection
The municipal system containing the seed of ist own ruinThe municipal system containing the seed of ist own ruin

Javier ANDREU PINTADOJavier ANDREU PINTADO
Universidad de NavarraUniversidad de Navarra
https://unav.academia.edu/JavierAndreuhttps://unav.academia.edu/JavierAndreu
http://www.losbanales.eshttp://www.losbanales.es
http://www.santacrizdeeslava.comhttp://www.santacrizdeeslava.com
jandreup@unav.esjandreup@unav.es

Crisis before "the crisis": decline and fall of the "Tarraconensis" at the end of the High Empire

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Crisis before "the crisis": decline and fall of the "Tarraconensis" at the end of the High Empire

Similar to Crisis before "the crisis": decline and fall of the "Tarraconensis" at the end of the High Empire (18)

More from Javier Andreu

More from Javier Andreu (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Crisis before "the crisis": decline and fall of the "Tarraconensis" at the end of the High Empire