The Emperor as Military Leader. Military Diplomas and Imperial Government

Eck W.

Roman military diplomas of the lst-3rd centuries AD are considered in this paper in their connection with peculiarities of imperial government. Analyzing these documents the author comes to the conclusion that even such routine administrative activity as granting privileges to retiring veterans implied emperor's personal activity. Every diploma was an obvious proof of the link between the emperor and every military man and ensured higher status of its owner and his belonging to the upper community of Rome. In diplomas Roman policy of integration found its graphic expression.