L’usurpation politique sous l’Empire romain a fait l’objet d’approches historiographiques récentes et novatrices avec les travaux, notamment, d’Egon Flaig et de Joachim Szidat, au point d’occuper une place essentielle dans la définition du pouvoir impérial. Le travail ici mené se propose de faire une étude en deux temps de ce phénomène, qui exista avant d’être nommé tardivement (au IVè siècle). Une première partie se propose d’en étudier le vocabulaire riche et varié à travers l’examen de l’ensemble des sources disponibles considérées dans leur évolution chronologique afin de voir peu à peu émerger ce concept politique et d’en proposer une définition tenant compte de cette analyse philologique. La lecture des différents auteurs de la fin de la République et des premiers siècles de l’Empire, mais aussi des époques plus tardives, permettent de mettre en évidence la structuration de leur pensée politique du phénomène, tant dans le domaine des idées abstraites reprises de la philosophie grecque (Platon et Aristote), que dans le recours au mythe comme clé d’analyse (depuis Virgile jusqu’à Sénèque).A cette étude des mots et des idées succède une seconde partie qui se donne pour but d’appliquer la définition proposée dans la première partie à l’étude de la période du Haut-Empire. Les usurpations y sont recensées d’une façon exhaustive en prenant en compte non seulement celles qui eurent effectivement lieu (au demeurant peu nombreuses) mais aussi toutes celles qui firent l’objet d’un soupçon et d’une mise en accusation. Ainsi sont mis en valeur des types de profils de candidats, des scénarios de conquête du pouvoir et de légitimation de celui-ci, mais aussi des techniques de contrôle et de conservation du pouvoir de la part de ceux qui se présentent comme des détenteurs légitimes parce qu’ils prétendent incarner le consensus de tous les citoyens de l’Empire. L’usurpation se révèle alors comme étant un phénomène politique central dont la menace réapparaît chaque fois que ce consensus faiblit, et qui s’efface lorsque ce consensus est rétabli. Moteur de l’évolution politique, il est un moyen d’expérimenter des modèles de conquête et de conservation du pouvoir faisant office d'exempla, et dont la prise en compte permet de modifier quelque peu la périodisation par règne. / Political usurpation in the days of the Roman Empire has been the topic of many recent and innovative historiographical approaches, among which those of Egon Flaig and Joachim Szidat, to the point of becoming a defining feature of imperial power. This political phenomenon, whose existence preceedes its late denomination as « usurpatio » (during the IVth century AD) is what this present work will attempt to study in a two-step approach.The first step consists in studying the rich and varied vocabulary of usurpation through the examination of all available sources, which will be reviewed in chronological order, so as to observe the gradual emergence of this political concept and to offer a definition which takes this philological analysis into account. Besides, perusing the writings of various authors from the end of the Republic to the Principate era, as well as those from later centuries, will help bring to light the structuring of their political thought on the phenomenon, be it in the field of abstract ideas inspired from Greek classical philosophy (Plato and Aristotle) or in the use of myths as a key element of analysis (from Virgil to Seneca).The aim of the second part of this work is to apply the definition put forward in the first one to the study of the Principate era. The comprehensive list of usurpations you will find there takes into account not only those which actually happened (all in all a limited number) but also all those which fell under suspicion and resulted in an indictment. Consequently, candidate profiles start to emerge, as well as patterns of power conquest and the legitimation of it, but also techniques to control and hold that power by those who identify themselves as legitimate rulers, because they claim to embody the public consensus in the Empire.Therefore, usurpation seems to be a central political phenomenon which threatens to reappear every time that consensus is weakened, and disappears whenever it is restored. It fuels political development, it is a way of experimenting with different models of power conquest and the retainment of it. Taking it into consideration allows for a slight modification of the traditional periodising by reign.

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Les recherches portant sur les fora provinciaux effectuées au cours des dernières décennies ont permis de redéfinir un certain nombre de leurs caractéristiques. L’étude du décor de ces centres civiques dans sa globalité constitue alors une approche susceptible d’apporter une meilleure compréhension de ces espaces. Cette première approche du sujet a pour objectif d’aborder la question du dialogue entre les images présentes sur le forum et leurs contextes. Le décor figuratif permet de définir les principales thématiques, qui sont souvent complétées par des décors non figuratifs, et qui participent à la diffusion de l’idéologie impériale. Ce décor doit ensuite être contextualisé, afin d’en comprendre la conception, et d’aborder la question de sa réception par le spectateur. / Over the last few decades, studies on provincial fora defined some of their characteristics. A global approach of their decor can bring about a better understanding of these spaces. The link between the images and their contexts will be examined. The study of the images will be associated with the study of non iconographical elements of the decor in order to define the main themes represented on the fora. The definition of several contexts will help to understand how the decor was conceived and seen at the time.

Thesis title: Magisterial powers in Ancient Rome in the period of Principate The aim of this thesis is to provide a systematic overview of the image of the Imperial administration and palace offices during the times of the Principate during the first three centuries of Common Era. Their enumeration, powers and administrative agenda are described chronologically according to their presumed and documented origin in the reigns of the respective Emperors and dynasties, together with the most significant administrative policy and reforms of individual sovereigns. The description of the Imperial cabinet is set to a basic historical context, which sheds more light on the eventual motivation and reasoning behind the creation or abolition of individual offices or the enactment of the appropriate reform since the ascension of Octavianus to the throne until the overview of fundamental changes of state administration during the reign of Diocletianus. The Imperial administration played a significant role during the principate era. Although it was not officially institutionalized until the reign of Claudius and its image and organisation was not perfected until Hadrianus during the second century CE, since the very beginning of the Principate, the imperial magistracies helped with the development of the Empire...

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Doctorat en philosophie et lettres / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The Roman Emperor Trajan, who ruled the Roman Empire from 98 CE – 117 CE has always been remembered as one of the good Emperors. The few ancient sources that mention Trajan, namely Pliny the Younger and Cassius Dio, compose a glowing portrait of the Emperor when describing his deeds and abilities. Part of the explanation for such a positive portrayal can surely be accounted for by the comparison of Trajan to one of his predecessors Domitian (who ruled from 51 CE – 96 CE). Domitian came to be memorialized as one of the most hated Emperor of the Principate, especially because of his scornful and suspicious attitude towards the Senate and his pillaging of the Roman provinces for the purpose of his own profit. In a time when the empire was expanding and expert diplomatic and strategic capability was necessary for an Emperor to possess, Domitian’s shortcomings were particularly harmful to Rome and her subjects. Thus when Trajan took control, many Romans must have looked to him to continue the improvements initiated by Domitian’s brief successor Nerva and repair the damage done to the empire. Pliny the younger, an influential and wealthy senatorial aristocrat, was one such Roman who looked to the new Emperor with hope and ambition for better times. During Pliny’s tenure as governor of the province of Bithynia and Pontus from roughly 110-112/3 CE, he exchanged many letters with Trajan which were subsequently collected and published as the tenth book of Pliny’s Letters. These letters generally take the form of advice sought by Pliny about the governance of the province, followed by a concise reply from the Emperor directing Pliny’s actions (or, at times, suggesting that Pliny himself choose the best way to proceed). Previous scholarship has primarily addressed the letters as a “self-fashioning text” (cf. Carlos Noreña and Philip Stadter, among others), but generally ignores the very active role Pliny plays in carefully constructing a particular representation of Trajan. Using this correspondence as a platform on which to create an image of the Princeps, Pliny expertly invents a particular portrait of Trajan that portrays the Emperor as a master at senatorial relations and management of the provinces. By allowing Trajan to perform this role, as is evidenced in the letters of Book 10, Pliny creates our most complete and compelling portrayal of this Emperor which serves both Pliny and Trajan’s interests for posterity. / text

This thesis is a historical and historiographical commentary on Book 57 (Chs. 1-17.8) of Cassius Dio's Roman History. It comprises two sections, an Introduction followed by the Commentary itself. The introduction is sub-divided into three chapters. The first of these introductory chapters (The Roman Historian at Work) presents a discussion of the historical material available for Dio's Tiberian narrative, and a discussion of the factors which were instrumental in Dio's writing and shaping his narrative of the reign of Tiberius. The second chapter (Dio on Tiberius) is an analysis of Dio's portrayal of Tiberius and of the historian’s understanding of Tiberius in the historical context of the early Principate. These chapters are followed by some brief Notes on the Text of Book 57, which considers the manuscript tradition of Book 57, and comments on portrayal of the reign of Tiberius in the Dionian tradition, and in particular the Excerpta Constantiniana, Xiphilinus, and Zonaras. The second part of the thesis, the commentary, presents an analysis of Dio's narrative from both historical and historiographical perspectives.

Le phénomène de la romanisation étant des plus complexe, il est donc nécessaire de se concentrer sur un seul de ses aspects, mais aussi sur un espace géographique restreint : la diffusion de la citoyenneté romaine en Afrique proconsulaire. Quels sont ses mécanismes et ses processus? Quels sont les motifs pour Rome ou pour les indigènes? Finalement, quels sont les impacts de cette diffusion sur les individus ainsi que sur leur cité? Ultimement, y a-t-il eu une romanisation de l’Afrique par la diffusion de la citoyenneté romaine? Voilà les questions qui ont été posées à travers l’étude des cas de Thugga et de Lepcis Magna. Finlement, il semble que l’empereur ainsi que les notables locaux furent des moteurs importants de cette diffusion, que les motifs pouvaient être stratégiques ou culturels pour l’empereur, mais surtout fiscaux pour les notables et que le principal impact, autant sur les individus que sur la cité, fut bel et bien la transformation, voire la romanisation juridique, de l’Afrique romaine. / Because of the Romanization phenomenon's complexity, it is necessary to focus on a single aspect, and a defined area : the spread of Roman citizenship in Africa proconsularis. What are its mechanisms and processes? What are the reasons for Rome or for the natives? Finally, what are the impacts of this diffusion on the individuals and communities? Ultimately, was there a Romanization of Africa through the spread of Roman citizenship? These are the questions that were asked through the study of Leptis Magna and Thugga cases. In the end, it seems that the emperor and community leaders were important drivers of this spread, while the emperor's motives were more strategic or cultural, they were for the community leaders, mostly economical, the main impact on both the individuals and the communities, was indeed the transformation or the jural romanization of Roman Africa.

This thesis explores ancient ideas regarding the constructive properties of intoxicating drinks, as presented in Greco-Roman sources from the first to third centuries AD. In doing so, it responds to Mary Douglas' Constructive Drinking (1987), which emphasised that, contrary to anthropological findings, many societies' authorities tend to focus upon, and overemphasise, the destructive aspects of alcohol consumption. This pattern is particularly prevalent in modern Western scholarship. The same trend can be detected within both Greco-Roman society and classical scholarship. Although many Greeks and Romans undoubtedly consumed quantities of wine, on a regular basis, in a manner which was widely considered 'moderate', the literary evidence from this period tends to focus most heavily upon excessive and/or destructive drinking. Similarly, much of the modern scholarship which addresses drinking in the Roman Empire focuses upon drunkenness and the destructive aspects of drinking. Yet it is clear that Greco-Roman society considered wine consumption to be significantly beneficial, in a wide variety of ways, provided that moderation was employed. The destructive consequences of drinking were almost exclusively associated with excessive and inappropriate consumption. In reaction to this bias in the sources and scholarship, this thesis undertakes a re-reading of the ancient evidence through the 'Constructive Drinking' lens. It identifies and explores the ways in which the Greeks and Romans of this period considered drinking to be important, useful, or otherwise 'constructive' to the individual and society. Where possible, this thesis attempts to identify how important and widespread such beliefs were. This thesis has two main areas of focus. First, the ways in which intoxicating drink was considered to be constructive for an individual's health and wellbeing. Second, the ways in which intoxicating drink was considered to be of social benefit to both individuals and groups. This thesis accordingly provides a fresh perspective on drinking in antiquity, and illustrates the methodological significance of the Constructive Drinking lens for future research.