A provincial capital polis at the end of the Roman era. Periphery or a center of power?core
PeriPolis · Horizon Europe grant · 2026-10-01–2031-09-30
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call ERC-2025-COG · scheme HORIZON-ERC · topic ERC-2025-COG. CORDIS record →
Objective
This project proposes a comprehensive multi-disciplinary study of a Roman provincial capital in the period of the transition from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages. It is based on a case study of three of the most richly-documented provincial capitals, Antinoopolis, Ravenna and Petra, but encompasses similar provincial centers across the Mediterranean world and beyond in order to build a model of the administration of justice and enforcement of law in Late Antiquity. This topic is closely linked to communication between the provincial capitals and the imperial court in Constantinople and will shed light on the dynamics of the transmission of laws. It also contributes to the understanding of the shared legal culture of Late Antique provincial capitals, a major factor in the successful administration of provinces.The model of provincial government will be based on the formal juridical, legislative and executive powers of the governor, his official staff, and the city council, and an elucidation of their capacity to carry out their functions successfully in the context of new social and cultural realities. Furthermore, it will provide insight into the dynamics of power between the central administrative apparatus, the city apparatus, and prominent landowners, religious institutions and clergy, and the villages. The study focuses on the period between the 5th and 7th c., when it became increasingly challenging for governors and other officials to exercise the powers conferred upon them by the emperors. This was a pervasive phenomenon across the entire Empire, resulting from the emergence of a new landowning class who possessed economic and military capabilities that far exceeded those of their predecessors. Moreover, there were persistent incursions from nomadic groups in the south, as well as a prolonged conflict with the Persian Empire. The project offers a multi-disciplinary and ground-breaking approach to the government of Empire and its legal culture.
Beneficiaries (1)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIWERSYTET WARSZAWSKI | PL | coordinator | €1,944,670 |
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