Laodicée-sur-mer et les fondations de l’empereur Constance

Abstract

During his reign, Constantius II (337–361) displayed an intense building activity in the whole Roman world. Some of the constructions attributed to him aimed at reinforcing the borders of the Empire, particularly in the East, against the Persians. Other constructions are the result of a more traditional policy of euergetism, inspired by his piety and his goodwill towards the cities. An unpublished Latin dedication from Latakia, the ancient Laodicea ad mare in Syria, sheds a new light on this aspect of the emperor’s reign by showing that the city obtained the name Constantia in connection with material advantages received from Constantius. The publication of this text anticipates the new edition of the volume of the IGLS dedicated to the Syrian coast. This paper will moreover discuss the foundations or refoundations of cities by the emperor in the diocese of the Oriens (in addition to Laodicea Salamis, Antoninupolis, Antarados, Antioch, and perhaps Phaine).