<Article>Septimius Severus and the Principate

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  • <論説>セプティミウス・セウェールスとローマ元首政
  • セプティミウス・セウェールスとローマ元首政
  • セプティミウス セウェールス ト ローマ ゲンシュセイ

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Abstract

Septimius Severus is generally depicted as the Roman emperor who was the first to break with the tradition of the Principate and planted the despotism of the East in the soil of the West. But the new materials and studies on him require to interpret his rule afresh. In this paper we examine Septimius' relationship with the Senate or the Senators and try to clarify the character of his government in the history of the Principate. Most of the eminent scholars affirm that the authority of the Senate was definitely crushed by him. But the re-examination of the historical sources shows us that we cannot emphasize the hostility between Se-ptimius and the Senate. Then, he appointed men of the Equestrian order rather than of the Senatorial order as provincial governors and legionary commanders. The aim of this policy, however, is not crushing the power of the Senate but improving the domestic and foreign administration. Especially we recognize that in some important respects this policy was a continuation of the reform of the emperor Marcus Aurelius. In sum, we cannot regard Septimius as the first to break with the tradition of the Principate simply any longer.

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  • 史林

    史林 65 (2), 280-315, 1982-03-01

    THE SHIGAKU KENKYUKAI (The Society of Historical Research), Kyoto University

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