Dernières mentions des magistratures et des liturgies traditionnelles dans les cités d’Asie mineure: habitus épigraphique et vie institutionnelle locale à la fin du IIIe et au début du IVe siècle

Abstract

This articles attempts to resolve a number of methodological problems that arise when studying epigraphic sources on civic life in Asia Minor during the period between the 270s CE and Constantine’s accession. The first of these problems consists in the development of the epigram genre during this time, since the characteristics of this genre make it difficult to date the extant documents. By studying those epigrams that mention or honour notables fulfilling civic functions one can nevertheless establish and date a number of documents that belong to the late second to early third century CE rather than to a later period. Once this obstacle had been overcome, a survey of the extant corpus of inscriptions allowed the last mentions of traditional magistracies and liturgies in Asia Minor to be identified, although many of these may have been merely honorary. Their number is very limited and as such, one can observe the almost complete disappearance of the culture of commemoration attached to great notables, magistrates, liturgists, and public benefactors, which had previously illustrated the communal life of local communities. This observation contrasts with the civic tradition of Asia Minor in the high Imperial period, as well as with what is known from Africa Proconsularis, both during that same period and into the fourth century.