Pro consule uel pro praetore? À propos des titres et des pouvoirs des gouverneurs prétoriens d'Afrique, de Sicile et de Sardaigne-Corse sous la République romaine (227-52 av. J.-C.)

Abstract

This article extends the work of F. Vervaet on the praetorian proconsulate in the Roman Republic, published in this volume of Chiron, by examining the fasti of the provinces of Africa, Sicily and Sardinia et Corsica (227–52 BC). It is subdivided into three sections. The first part is dedicated to the terminology used to describe the titles and powers of the governors of praetorian rank. Secondly, the question of the number of lictors and fasces that accompanied them (six or twelve?) is discussed in order to establish the nature of their imperium (praetorian or consular?). Thirdly, an analysis of the titles of these governors is achieved by means of a detailed study of the fasti of the three provinces in question. It emerges that the title of pro consule is widely used from the year 70 BC onwards, but not systematically so; there is no need to assume that a reform by Sulla formally ended the use of the title pro praetore (this is supported in the case of Sicily by the documentation relating to Sex. Peducaeus and Verres).