Les élites de Narbonne et les ordres supérieurs de l’Empire (Ier siècle av. J.-C. - IIe siècle ap. J.-C.)

Abstract

Reconsidering epigraphical data about senators and knights native of Narbonne leads to qualify the idea of a low capital city involvement in the imperial elites recruitment during the early Roman empire. It is particularly striking for the equestrian community from Narbonne who was greater than we used to think. It rose partially for its members’ military merit and partially thanks to their estates constituted by various economic activities. By contrast the impression remains of a low participation in senatorial recruitment, a more refined analysis of evidences allows to better understand the real reasons for the rise of narbonensian families. Their trajectories reflect the distinctive features of Narbonne : a city with strong military traditions, with a very dynamic business community and linked with the Roman intellectual life. Thus the early empire narbonensian elite can illustrate «the triumph of wealth, energy and opportunism » of provincials so dear to Ronald Syme.