Principles of the Transfer of Imperial Power in Late Antique Society
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52575/2687-0967-2023-50-2-344-354Keywords:
power, emperor, empire, dynasty, usurpationAbstract
This article discusses the dynastic policy and principles of the transfer of imperial power in the Roman Empire in the 4th-5th centuries. A.D. Specific historical examples show the mechanisms for the transfer of power, political institutions that take part in the approval of the new emperor to the throne.
The article analyzes eight different ways of transferring imperial power, starting from the era of the principate:
1) dynastic transfer of power according to the consanguineous model;
2) co-government;
3) co-optation to power on the basis of personal merit, «selection of the best»;
4) selection and approval of the emperor by the senate (candidate senate);
5) rebellion and rebellion of individual legions and military formations and their nomination of the emperor, usurpation of power;
6) adoption;
7) appointment as emperor by a barbarian king or a powerful magister militum or patrician;
8) marriage with a representative of the imperial family.
The result of the study is the conclusion about the dominant nature of the transfer of imperial power according to the consanguineous principle throughout most of the history of the Roman Empire.
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