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Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum

January 29, 2023

This article is about the Roman Prefecture. For the Roman province, see Illyricum (Roman province).
For other uses, see Illyricum.

The praetorian prefecture of Illyricum (Latin: praefectura praetorio per Illyricum; Greek: ἐπαρχότης/ὑπαρχία [τῶν πραιτωρίων] τοῦ Ἰλλυρικοῦ, also termed simply the Prefecture of Illyricum) was one of four praetorian prefectures into which the Late Roman Empire was divided.

Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum
Praefectura praetorio per Illyricum
Ἐπαρχότης Ἰλλυρικοῦ
Praet. prefecture of the East Roman Empire
347–7th century

The praetorian prefecture of Illyricum (375-379)
CapitalSirmium, later Thessalonica
History
Historical eraLate Antiquity
• Established
347
• loss of most of Illyricum to Slavic incursions
7th century
Political subdivisionsDiocese of Macedonia
Diocese of Dacia
Diocese of Pannonia (until 379)

The administrative centre of the prefecture was Sirmium (375-379), and, after 379, Thessalonica.[1][2] It took its name from the older province of Illyricum, which in turn was named after ancient Illyria, and in its greatest expanse encompassed Pannonia, Noricum, Crete, and most of the Balkan peninsula except for Thrace.

Administrative history

Unlike the other three "classical" prefectures that are mentioned in the Notitia Dignitatum (Gaul, the Italy-Africa and the East), the early administrative history of Illyricum as a prefecture during the 4th century involved its abolition, re-establishment and division several times.[3]

Initially the territories comprising the later praetorian prefecture of Illyricum belonged to the Prefecture of Italy, Illyricum and Africa. It was as established as a praetorian prefecture in its own right during the dynastic struggles between the sons of Constantine the Great which followed his death in 337.[4] It seems that the three dioceses of Macedonia, Dacia and Pannonia were first grouped together in a separate praetorian prefecture in 347 by Constans by removing them from the praetorian prefecture of Italy, Africa and Illyricum (which then became the praetorian prefecture of Italy and Africa) or that this praetorian prefecture was formed in 343 when Constans appointed a prefect for Italy.[5]

It remained in existence until 361, when it was abolished by emperor Julian, and then revived under Gratian between 375-379.[6] In that year the Diocese of Pannonia (Illyricum occidentale, "Western Illyricum") was again added to Italy as the "Diocese of Illyricum", while Macedonia and Dacia (Illyricum orientale, "Eastern Illyricum") were briefly ruled directly by Theodosius I from Thessalonica.[7] During the years 384-395 they were again incorporated in the Italian prefecture, except a short period in 388-391, when the two dioceses formed a separate prefecture.[6]

 
Praetorian Prefectures of the Roman Empire (375-379)

Only after the death of Theodosius in 395 and the division of the Empire did the Illyricum assume the permanent form which appears in the Notitia, incorporating the dioceses of Macedonia and Dacia, with Thessalonica as capital. However, the Western Empire, especially during the regency of Stilicho, continued claim them until 437 when, as part of the dowry of Licinia Eudoxia, Valentinian III recognized the East's sovereignty over the prefecture.[8] On this occasion, it appears that the prefecture's capital was to Sirmium (437-441),[9] but the move is debated, as the northern Balkans were at the time ravaged by invasions. Likewise, the intention of Justinian I to move the capital to his new city of Justiniana Prima in the 540s remained unfulfilled. [10]

Following the Slavic invasions in the 7th century, most of the Balkan hinterland was lost by the Byzantines, who only retained control of the parts of Thrace nearest Constantinople, Thessalonica and its environs, and some coastal strips in Greece. A praetorian prefect (ὕπαρχος) is attested in the sources as governor of Thessalonica as late as the first years of the 9th century, one of the last survivals of the old Constantinian administrative system in the entire Empire. At that point however, the wars with the rising power of Bulgaria necessitated a reorganization of the provinces, and Thessalonica was constituted as a distinct theme under a strategos sometime before 840.[11]

List of known praefecti praetorio per Illyricum

 
Insignia of the Praetorian Prefect of the Illyricum

References

  1. ^ Thessalonica, 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia
  2. ^ Illyria, 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia
  3. ^ It is a common mistake that the praetorian prefectures were established as territorial units by Constantine I already around 318 or 324, as anachronistically claimed by Zosimus. In reality, each Augustus or Caesar continued to have his own praetorian prefect as his chief of staff, and only by the mid-4th century did the prefectures become permanent administrative subdivisions of the Empire. Morrison (2007), pp. 190–191
  4. ^ Barnes, T. D., The New Empire of Diocletian and Constantine, p. 139
  5. ^ Barnes, T. D., Constantine: Dynasty, Religion and Power in the Later Roman Empire, p. 160, 2011
  6. ^ a b Morrison (2007), p. 396
  7. ^ Greece, 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia
  8. ^ Morrison (2007), pp. 397–398
  9. ^ Southern Pannonia during the age of the Great Migrations
  10. ^ Morrison (2007), pp. 401–402
  11. ^ Bury (1912), pp. 223–224

Sources

  • Bulić, Dejan (2013). "The Fortifications of the Late Antiquity and the Early Byzantine Period on the Later Territory of the South-Slavic Principalities, and their re-occupation". The World of the Slavs: Studies of the East, West and South Slavs: Civitas, Oppidas, Villas and Archeological Evidence (7th to 11th Centuries AD). Belgrade: The Institute for History. pp. 137–234.
  • Bury, John B. (1912), A history of the Eastern Roman empire from the fall of Irene to the accession of Basil I. (A. D. 802-867), London: Macmillan and Co.
  • Curta, Florin (2001). The Making of the Slavs: History and Archaeology of the Lower Danube Region, c. 500–700. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Curta, Florin (2006). Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500–1250. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Given, John (2014). The Fragmentary History of Priscus. Merchantville, New Jersey: Evolution Publishing.
  • Janković, Đorđe (2004). "The Slavs in the 6th Century North Illyricum". Гласник Српског археолошког друштва. 20: 39–61.
  • Kazhdan, Alexander, ed. (1991), Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-504652-6
  • Mirković, Miroslava B. (2017). Sirmium: Its History from the First Century AD to 582 AD. Novi Sad: Center for Historical Research.
  • Mócsy, András (2014) [1974]. Pannonia and Upper Moesia: A History of the Middle Danube Provinces of the Roman Empire. New York: Routledge.
  • Petrović, Vladimir P. (2007). "Pre-Roman and Roman Dardania: Historical and Geographical Considerations" (PDF). Balcanica. Balkanološki institut SANU. 37: 7–23.
  • Popović, Radomir V. (1996). Le Christianisme sur le sol de l'Illyricum oriental jusqu'à l'arrivée des Slaves. Thessaloniki: Institute for Balkan Studies.
  • Whitby, Michael (1988). The Emperor Maurice and his Historian: Theophylact Simocatta on Persian and Balkan warfare. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  • Zeiller, Jacques (1918). Les origines chrétiennes dans les provinces danubiennes de l'Empire romain. Paris: E. De Boccard.
  • Notitia dignitatum

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum.

    January 29, 2023
    praetorian, prefecture, illyricum, this, article, about, roman, prefecture, roman, province, illyricum, roman, province, other, uses, illyricum, praetorian, prefecture, illyricum, latin, praefectura, praetorio, illyricum, greek, ἐπαρχότης, ὑπαρχία, τῶν, πραιτω. This article is about the Roman Prefecture For the Roman province see Illyricum Roman province For other uses see Illyricum The praetorian prefecture of Illyricum Latin praefectura praetorio per Illyricum Greek ἐparxoths ὑparxia tῶn praitwriwn toῦ Ἰllyrikoῦ also termed simply the Prefecture of Illyricum was one of four praetorian prefectures into which the Late Roman Empire was divided Praetorian prefecture of IllyricumPraefectura praetorio per Illyricum Ἐparxoths ἸllyrikoῦPraet prefecture of the East Roman Empire347 7th centuryThe praetorian prefecture of Illyricum 375 379 CapitalSirmium later ThessalonicaHistoryHistorical eraLate Antiquity Established347 loss of most of Illyricum to Slavic incursions7th centuryPolitical subdivisionsDiocese of Macedonia Diocese of Dacia Diocese of Pannonia until 379 The administrative centre of the prefecture was Sirmium 375 379 and after 379 Thessalonica 1 2 It took its name from the older province of Illyricum which in turn was named after ancient Illyria and in its greatest expanse encompassed Pannonia Noricum Crete and most of the Balkan peninsula except for Thrace Contents 1 Administrative history 2 List of known praefecti praetorio per Illyricum 3 References 4 Sources 5 External linksAdministrative history EditUnlike the other three classical prefectures that are mentioned in the Notitia Dignitatum Gaul the Italy Africa and the East the early administrative history of Illyricum as a prefecture during the 4th century involved its abolition re establishment and division several times 3 Initially the territories comprising the later praetorian prefecture of Illyricum belonged to the Prefecture of Italy Illyricum and Africa It was as established as a praetorian prefecture in its own right during the dynastic struggles between the sons of Constantine the Great which followed his death in 337 4 It seems that the three dioceses of Macedonia Dacia and Pannonia were first grouped together in a separate praetorian prefecture in 347 by Constans by removing them from the praetorian prefecture of Italy Africa and Illyricum which then became the praetorian prefecture of Italy and Africa or that this praetorian prefecture was formed in 343 when Constans appointed a prefect for Italy 5 It remained in existence until 361 when it was abolished by emperor Julian and then revived under Gratian between 375 379 6 In that year the Diocese of Pannonia Illyricum occidentale Western Illyricum was again added to Italy as the Diocese of Illyricum while Macedonia and Dacia Illyricum orientale Eastern Illyricum were briefly ruled directly by Theodosius I from Thessalonica 7 During the years 384 395 they were again incorporated in the Italian prefecture except a short period in 388 391 when the two dioceses formed a separate prefecture 6 Praetorian Prefectures of the Roman Empire 375 379 Only after the death of Theodosius in 395 and the division of the Empire did the Illyricum assume the permanent form which appears in the Notitia incorporating the dioceses of Macedonia and Dacia with Thessalonica as capital However the Western Empire especially during the regency of Stilicho continued claim them until 437 when as part of the dowry of Licinia Eudoxia Valentinian III recognized the East s sovereignty over the prefecture 8 On this occasion it appears that the prefecture s capital was to Sirmium 437 441 9 but the move is debated as the northern Balkans were at the time ravaged by invasions Likewise the intention of Justinian I to move the capital to his new city of Justiniana Prima in the 540s remained unfulfilled 10 Following the Slavic invasions in the 7th century most of the Balkan hinterland was lost by the Byzantines who only retained control of the parts of Thrace nearest Constantinople Thessalonica and its environs and some coastal strips in Greece A praetorian prefect ὕparxos is attested in the sources as governor of Thessalonica as late as the first years of the 9th century one of the last survivals of the old Constantinian administrative system in the entire Empire At that point however the wars with the rising power of Bulgaria necessitated a reorganization of the provinces and Thessalonica was constituted as a distinct theme under a strategos sometime before 840 11 List of known praefecti praetorio per Illyricum Edit Insignia of the Praetorian Prefect of the Illyricum Vulcacius Rufinus 347 352 Quintus Flavius Maesius Egnatius Lollianus Mavortius 355 56 Anatolius 360 Florentius 360 Sextus Claudius Petronius Probus c 364 Quintus Clodius Hermogenianus Olybrius 378 379 Vettius Agorius Praetextatus 384 also Praetorian Prefect of Italy Flavius Eutychianus 396 397 Anatolius 397 399 Herculius 408 410 Leontius 412 413 Flavius Junius Quartus Palladius 416 421 also Praetorian Prefect of Italy Gessius some time between 421 and 443 Flavius Anthemius Isidorus 424 Flavius Simplicius Reginus 435 Eubulus 436 Thalassius 439 Apraeumius 441 Eulogius c 451 Valentinianus 452 Callicrates 468 469 Iohannes 472 Basilides 529 References Edit Thessalonica 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia Illyria 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia It is a common mistake that the praetorian prefectures were established as territorial units by Constantine I already around 318 or 324 as anachronistically claimed by Zosimus In reality each Augustus or Caesar continued to have his own praetorian prefect as his chief of staff and only by the mid 4th century did the prefectures become permanent administrative subdivisions of the Empire Morrison 2007 pp 190 191 Barnes T D The New Empire of Diocletian and Constantine p 139 Barnes T D Constantine Dynasty Religion and Power in the Later Roman Empire p 160 2011 a b Morrison 2007 p 396 Greece 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia Morrison 2007 pp 397 398 Southern Pannonia during the age of the Great Migrations Morrison 2007 pp 401 402 Bury 1912 pp 223 224Sources EditBulic Dejan 2013 The Fortifications of the Late Antiquity and the Early Byzantine Period on the Later Territory of the South Slavic Principalities and their re occupation The World of the Slavs Studies of the East West and South Slavs Civitas Oppidas Villas and Archeological Evidence 7th to 11th Centuries AD Belgrade The Institute for History pp 137 234 Bury John B 1912 A history of the Eastern Roman empire from the fall of Irene to the accession of Basil I A D 802 867 London Macmillan and Co Curta Florin 2001 The Making of the Slavs History and Archaeology of the Lower Danube Region c 500 700 Cambridge Cambridge University Press Curta Florin 2006 Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages 500 1250 Cambridge Cambridge University Press Given John 2014 The Fragmentary History of Priscus Merchantville New Jersey Evolution Publishing Jankovic Đorđe 2004 The Slavs in the 6th Century North Illyricum Glasnik Srpskog arheoloshkog drushtva 20 39 61 Kazhdan Alexander ed 1991 Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0 19 504652 6 Mirkovic Miroslava B 2017 Sirmium Its History from the First Century AD to 582 AD Novi Sad Center for Historical Research Mocsy Andras 2014 1974 Pannonia and Upper Moesia A History of the Middle Danube Provinces of the Roman Empire New York Routledge Petrovic Vladimir P 2007 Pre Roman and Roman Dardania Historical and Geographical Considerations PDF Balcanica Balkanoloski institut SANU 37 7 23 Popovic Radomir V 1996 Le Christianisme sur le sol de l Illyricum oriental jusqu a l arrivee des Slaves Thessaloniki Institute for Balkan Studies Whitby Michael 1988 The Emperor Maurice and his Historian Theophylact Simocatta on Persian and Balkan warfare Oxford Clarendon Press Zeiller Jacques 1918 Les origines chretiennes dans les provinces danubiennes de l Empire romain Paris E De Boccard Notitia dignitatumExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum Map The Roman Empire in 337 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum amp oldid 1038653613, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, 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