Empire extended outward and established colonia, ius Latii and citizenship were granted to increasing numbers of cities throughout the Mediterranean and across conquered provinces. In 212, the Constitutio Antoniniana granted the Roman franchise to all inhabitants of the empire. It did not, however, change the formal status of the communities across the Roman world, and it tended to reduce the once desirable aspects of citizenship. Romans living in the provinces were no longer exempt from the often crushing taxes of the provincial governments; the suffragium, long in decline, was curtailed further by the demise of many forms of local representative government. Citizenship remained a useful legal status, with guaranteed rights and privileges.
This evolution of the definition and spirit of citizenship was a decisive influence in the process of Romaniza-tion of newly conquered territory in that the benefits of citizenship encouraged the adoption of Roman customs, culture, and language. Above all, extending citizenship to all of its subjects helped the empire cement the concept of Romanitas in all the corners of the empire. As a symbol of Roman unity, it had a value in holding together the many disparate cultures and peoples of the Roman world at a time when the stability of the empire was falling into question.
Civilis, Gaius Julius (fl. first century c. e.) Chieftain of the Batavi, led a large-scale revolt of tribes against Rome in 69-70 C. E.
Civilis had long dealt with the empire, serving as the captain of a Batavian cohort in the auxiliaries, but never earning the trust of his supposed allies. Fonteius Capito, the governor of Germania Inferior, executed a Batavian chief, Julius Paulus, and sent Civilis in chains to Nero, under a charge of rebellion. Galba subsequently released Civilis, who, understandably, harbored resentment thereafter.
In 69, while Vitellius fought for his throne, Antonius Primus wrote Civilis to ask for cooperation, a request echoed by Hordeonius Flaccus, the governor of Germania Superior and a supporter of Vespasian. Civilis supported the Flavians against Vitellius openly, while planning a massive rebellion. His warriors began working against Vitellian garrisons, and as successes grew, the other local tribes joined, including the Bructeri. Civilis marched on the camp and headquarters of the V and XV legions at Castra Vetera, calling on them to surrender to the cause of Vespasian. Alarmed by the vigor of his supposed ally, Flac-cus sent a legionary force under Dillius Vocula to keep Civilis in line. The force was attacked by Civilis instead.
When Vitellian hopes died at the second battle of BEDRIACUM, the pretense was over. Vetera’s garrison broke through Civilis’s siege, linking with Vocula. The Romans had only one emperor now. Civilis faced a dangerous situation. Although he was unable to generate enthusiasm among the general population of Gaul, three tribal leaders did join him: Julius Classicus and Julius Tutor, of the Treviri, and Julius Sabinus of the small Gallic tribe, the Lingones. At a meeting in Cologne it was agreed that the defeat of the legions on the Rhine should be followed by the declaration of an Imperium Galliarum. Vocula, meanwhile, tried to conduct operations but was murdered, his legions defecting or being massacred.
In Rome, Vespasian’s representative Mucianus wasted no time in dealing with the crisis. Annius Gallus and Petilius Cerealis were dispatched north. Gallus pacified Germania Superior while Cerealis took on Civilis. Gallic cooperation failed to materialize, and the Imperium Gal-liarum fell apart. Civilis’s wife and sister were captured, and despite late-hour heroics on the part of the one-eyed chief, he saw defeat unavoidably approaching. Civilis agreed to meet with Cerealis on a bridge; the uprising was ended with favorable terms for the Batavians and their allies.
Civil service The cornerstone of the Roman civil administration. Under the Republic the government was run by elected magistrates, while the provinces were administered by officials and governors. There was no wide organization to regulate government affairs; Augustus, assuming the reins of empire in 27 B. C.E., recognized the need for a competent service. He began by appointing his governors from a pool of senators on whom he could rely. More importantly, the Augustan Principate (27 B. C.E.-14 C. E.) marked the political ascendancy of the EQUITES. Augustus appointed them to many posts, including the prefectship of the praetorian guard.
This class was beholden to him and reliable as an instrument of his will. Imperial freedmen were placed in court positions and in financial offices, but their influence would not be felt completely until the reign of Claudius. Local provincial governments stood autonomous, and cities ran their own affairs.
It was widely held by contemporary writers and Roman historians that Claudius was dominated by freed-men. Clearly, callistus, narcissus, and pallas exercised great influence, but they also provided the means by which the emperor could rid himself of tiresome administrative tasks. Claudius elevated his freedmen and improved administration of the FISCUS or imperial treasury. Provinces saw their officials, especially the procurators, rise in power, pre-figuring the increased imperial dominance of later years.
World History
