Ruling the late Roman and Byzantine City
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·        Jones tracks lack of morale and vitality – but if we don’t measure against Roman civic benchmark then we get different results

·        Life and Miracles of St. Thekla – no mention curiales, and imperial defence – society of considerable vitality, notable self-confidence and self-awareness as a community. Run by clergy and bishop.

·        Saint gives city identity – Seleukia identity expressed through cult of St. Thelka.  Civic patriotism shown through civic rivalry

·        Thessalonika – clergy important, but laymen fund the redoing of the church.

·        Miracles of St. Demetrius  -  middle Thessalonica abandoned public baths – could have been rebuilt, instead spend their money on building and decorating churches.  Larger cities continue to thrive, smaller ones declined – perhaps more important loss of curiales.

·        Emesa – Symeon – lively market town, baths, taverns, prostitutes etc.  Market centre for surrounding countryside – entertainment so landowners must have lived somewhere near b- successful urban community – not one losing vitality or morale.

·        Life of St. Theodore of Sykeon - Anastasioupolis – lead by clergy and various landowners – public civic buildings replaced by churches

·        Lameness of Theodore as a bishops shows how important role of leader of civic community was.  Late 6^th century Anastasiaoulopis different to earlier Roman city – and life shows village increase, but cities till the real deal.  Inhabitants countryside looked on city as a place to pay taxes and rent, sell their produced and find landlords and officials.  Fundamental continuities of Galatian life.  Not fertile, not really on a trade route, so if it had a life, hen others would??

Other Notes in this Category

1. A Continuous History
2. Education
3. Ruling the late Roman and Byzantine City
4. Society and Economy
5. The Disappearance and revival of cities
6. The Rise and Fall of the Curiales
7. The Wealth of the Late Roman Cities in the Near East

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