The Office of "Magister Militum" in the 4th Century CE : A Study into the Impact of Political and Military Leadership on the Later Roman Empire / Christopher Bendle.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bendle, Christopher, author.

Series:

Studies in ancient monarchies ; Volume 10.

Studies in Ancient Monarchies Series ; Volume 10

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Prosopography.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (238 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Stuttgart, Germany : Franz Steiner Verlag, [2024]

Summary:

This monograph presents a novel investigation of the magistri militum, the highest-ranking officers within the late Roman army. It posits that between 340 and 395 CE, specific magistri seized opportune moments, notably during the political voids following emperors' deaths, to reshape the character of their office and expand its pivotal role in the military-political sphere. This transformation played a decisive role in the eventual dissolution of the Western Roman Empire. Furthermore, the study employs the prosopographical method to reevaluate previous scholarship regarding the proportion of barbarian and Roman generals. Notably, the research posits that the balance between Roman and non-Roman officers was far more equitably distributed than hitherto conjectured. Additionally, prosopography is used to reconstruct the fourth-century cursus honorum. Finally, this work utilizes the analytical framework of social network analysis, predicated upon the application of mathematical equations and formulae to elucidate the intricate dynamics of positive and negative relationships. The findings of this study furnish valuable insights and prospects for further research.

Contents:

Intro

Titel

Impressum

Preface

Acknowledgments

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures

Introduction

State of the Question

Sources

Chapter One: The Magistri Militum from 341 to 363 CE

1.1.Introduction

1.2.The First Attested Magistri

1.3.Two Magisterial Usurpers

1.4.Ammianus' Account of Some Magistri Militum

1.5.Julian's Western Roman Empire

1.6.Julian and Jovian as Sole Emperors, 361 to 364 CE

Chapter Two: The Magistri Militum from 364 to 395 CE

2.1.Introduction

2.2.Valentinian's Western Empire

2.3.Valens' Eastern Empire

2.4.Crisis along the Danube

2.5.Civil War 383-388

2.6.Civil War 392-394: The Rise and Fall of Arbogast

Chapter Three: The Networks of the Magistri Militum

3.1.Introduction

3.2.Silvanus' Rebellion: The Strengths and Weaknesses of Complicated Networks

3.3.Competitive Cliques and their Leaders

3.4.Conclusion

Chapter Four: The Prosopography of the Magistri Militum

4.1.Introduction

4.2.The Fourth-Century Career Path and the Hierarchy of Military Offices

4.2.1.Introduction

4.2.2.Survey

4.2.3.Discussion

4.3.The Identity of the Magistri Militum: Barbarian, Roman, or Something in Between?

4.3.1.Introduction

4.3.2.Survey

4.3.3.Discussion

Conclusion

Bibliography

Abbreviations and Ancient Sources

Modern Scholarship

Register.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

3-515-13621-5