Libanius, βουλευταί and πολιτευόμενοι in the social network of a late antique city

Introduction. The process of Byzantinization of the late antique cities of the Eastern Mediterranean begins in the 4th century and lasts until the end of the 6th century. The focus of social changes is on the position of the curials. In Greek, curials can be rendered by two terms – βουλευταί and πολιτευόμενοι. Most scholars now identify these two terms after some period of searching for differences between them in historiography. The question of the state of the Antiochene curia in the era of Libanius (the second half of the 4th century) and the relationship of the rhetorician with the curials provides opportunities for a wide research search.

Materials and methods. The main source is the legacy of the Antiochene rhetorician of the second half of the 4th century Libanius. Some other synchronous sources are also used. The research methods are the method of content analysis (as an analysis of the content of sources), comparative historical and general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis.

Analysis. The era of Libanius and the case of Antioch are of particular interest, since Libanius is one of the most prolific authors of his era, from whom a colossal written legacy has been preserved. Antioch is one of the three largest cities of the empire, the metropolis of the East; finally, the era under consideration is of decisive importance in terms of the Byzantinization of the late antique city in the Eastern Mediterranean, when the traditional municipal system is in decline. The curial citizens are no longer so much striving for positions in the city community as they are burdened by duties, and a new external nobility, connected with the state and the administrative system, penetrates the city. In the letters and speeches of this rhetorician, 133 curials are distinguished, of which 57 were connected only with Antioch, and the rest – with other cities. However, Libanius’ interest in municipal life, as well as the scale of his activity, are exceptional even for his time and have no analogues in the following centuries. The correspondence of Libanius allows us to learn about 196 students of this rhetorician, students of his school in Antioch. In addition to their studies, 22 curials are known to have turned to Libanius for a letter of recommendation in order to obtain immunity from municipal duties. This reflects the state of affairs in the curia of Antioch.

Results. The life and writings of Libanius allow us to clarify the position of the curials in Antioch and throughout the East of the empire in the final, critical, but still living period of their existence. The circle of Libanius’ correspondents from the curials is associated with two main topics - this is the educational process in his school and the problem of freeing the curials from their onerous duties in the city in favor of an administrative career in the empire. Libanius generally considers the curials to be the basis of traditional city-state life, but clearly sees their crisis state and the strengthening of the administrative segment of society and, in general, the strengthening of statism.

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