Extract
[...] A municipality is a city that has a lower status than a colony (which can often be promoted to the rank of colonies as mentioned earlier). It has its own institutions such as the council of decurions (which we will discuss later), its own magistrates (quaestors, aediles, duumvirs, etc.) and also of their own local elite. Marcus Valerius Proculinus, the duumvir The magistrate to whom our text pays tribute is then the «duumvir Liberum Singili » - (l.3). The duumvir is therefore a magistrate in charge of overseeing the application of decrees in his city. [...]
[...] In the empire, the évergétisme becomes essential for the development of the cities. Marcus Valerius Proculinus, a great benefactor By his function as duumvir, Marcus Valerius Proculinus is not remunerated, on the contrary, he has expenses: - The summa honoria, linked to the access of the magistrature to the local treasury - The pollicitatio ob honorem, here are the generous expenses which are entirely part of the euergetism In fact, we can see the wealth of our notable by the list of expensive gifts made to the citizens: he 'has given public games and for as many days private games'; he has 'provided free oil and bath'; 'he has given the games of youth to the theater'; 'he has ensured a gymnasium and free baths for men and women' - to « The public thanks With all its offerings, the citizens judging that he has 'well managed the affairs of the city' - (l.12), they all decide together by 'unanimous decision' - (l.11) to grant honors to duumvir. [...]
[...] This council is established by the Roman Senate, it is composed of former magistrates as well as members sometimes foreigners due to their immense fortune, all this in a number of approximately 100 members for life (this number varies depending on the importance of the city). The decurions intervene in all local affairs of the city, notably by authorizations, the decree of the decurions like the decree for 'the placement of the statue' - (l.14) II- The urban community In the texts, the inhabitants of the municipality and who participate in the life of the city are 'the citizens and the residents'(inhabitants)» (l. l.7; l.9/10) Citizens Often, citizens in these cities have obtained this citizenship through several means. [...]
[...] This reign marked by the conquests carried out by the emperor, notably Dacia which becomes a province of the empire in 107, but also by a certain autonomy of the cities where several cities will be transformed into colonies, due to their antiquity within the empire as well as their strong Romanization. These cities then have their own administration and their own municipal elite. That is why we will ask ourselves how the free cities of the Roman Empire function in the 2nd century, through the city of Liberum Singili. [...]
[...] Here, our notable Marcus Valerius Proculinus is indeed a citizen, as he bears the tria nomina (first name Marcus, family name Valerius, cognomen Proculinus). His belonging to the tribe or gens Quirina, confirm her Roman citizenship and her filiation (over four generations) that he is of free birth (l. 2/3). The incolae The residents or incolae are free men, strangers to the city in which they reside, they then have rights and obligations to the city. They participate in the ceremonies of the imperial municipal cult and public honors, as in the text. [...]
