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The praetorian prefecture of Illyricum (Latin: praefectura praetorio per Illyricum, Greek: ἔπαρχότητα/ὑπαρχία τῶν πραιτωρίων τοῦ Ἰλλυρικοῦ, also termed simply the Prefecture of Illyricum) was one of four large praetorian prefectures into which the Late Roman Empire was divided. The administrative centre of the prefecture was initially Sirmium, and after 379 Thessalonica.[1][2] It took its name from the older province of Illyricum, which in turn was named after ancient Illyria, and in its greatest expanse encompassed Pannonia, Noricum, Crete, and most of the Balkan peninsula except Thrace.
[edit] Administrative history
Unlike the other three "classical" prefectures that are mentioned in the Notitia Dignitatum (Gaul, Italy-Africa and the East), the early administrative history of Illyricum during the 4th century was turbulent, as it was abolished, re-established and divided several times.[3] Initially the territories comprising the later prefecture belonged to the central Prefecture of Italy, Illyricum and Africa, when it was established in 337 following the division of the Empire among the sons of Constantine the Great. It seems that the three dioceses of Macedonia, Dacia and Pannonia were first grouped together in a separate praetorian prefecture in 357 by Constantius II. It remained in existence until 361, when it was abolished by emperor Julian, and then existed again from 375-379 under Gratian.[4] In that year the Diocese of Pannonia ("Western Illyricum") was again added to Italy as the "Diocese of Illyricum", while Macedonia and Dacia ("Eastern Illyricum") were ruled briefly directly by Theodosius I from Thessalonica.[5] During the next years they too were incorporated in the Italian prefecture, except a short period in 388-391, when the two dioceses formed a separate prefecture.[4] Only after the death of Theodosius in 395 and the permanent division of the Empire did the Illyricum assume the permanent form which appears in the Notitia, incorporating the dioceses of Macedonia and Dacia, with Thessalonica as capital. However, the Western Empire, especially during the regency of Stilicho, continued to lay claim to them until 437, when, as part of the dowry of Licinia Eudoxia, Valentinian III recognized the East's sovereignty over the prefecture.[6] On this occasion, it appears that the prefecture's capital was again moved for a while (437-441) to Sirmium,[7] but the move is debated, as the northern Balkans wer at the time ravaged by invasions. Likewise, the intention of Justinian I to move the capital to his new city of Justiniana Prima in the 540s remained unfulfilled.[8]
[edit] Ecclesiastical history
[edit] Barbarian invasions
[edit] List of known praefecti praetorio per Illyricum
Insignia of the Praetorian Prefect of the Illyricum
- Apraemis, prefect of the Prefecture of Illyricum with residence in Sirmium (before 441).
[edit] Economy
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Thessalonica, 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia
- ^ Illyria, 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia
- ^ It is a common mistake that the praetorian prefectures were established as territorial units by Constantine I already around 318 or 324, as anachronistically claimed by Zosimus. In reality, each Augustus or Caesar continued to have his own praetorian prefect as his chief of staff, and only by the mid-4th century did the prefectures become permanent administrative subdivisions of the Empire. Le Mond Byzantin, pp.190-191
- ^ a b Le Mond Byzantin, p. 396
- ^ Greece, 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia
- ^ Le Mond Byzantin, pp. 397-398
- ^ Southern Pannonia during the age of the Great Migrations
- ^ Le Mond Byzantin, pp. 401-402
[edit] Sources
- Notitia dignitatum
- (Greek) Morrison, Cécile (ed.):Le Mond Byzantin I - L'Empire romain d'orient (330-641) (Greek translation), Polis Editions, Athens 2007, ISBN 978-960-435-134-3
- The Times History of Europe, Times Books, London, 2001.
[edit] External links
