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Empereurs et préfets du prétoire chez Jean le Lydien: les conditions du bon gouvernement (Emperors and Pretorian Prefects in John Lydus. The Conditions of Good Government)

    Vincent Nicolini

Jahrbuch der Österreichischen Byzantinistik 68, pp. 211-221, 2019/09/17

doi: 10.1553/joeb68s211

doi: 10.1553/joeb68s211

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doi:10.1553/joeb68s211



doi:10.1553/joeb68s211

Abstract

John Lydus is generally thought of as a harsh critic of Justinian and his politics. While he may not have entirely supported Justinian and his actions, the focus of his political thought lies elsewhere. Far from focusing solely on the emperors, John interprets the recent history of the prefecture as a succession of good (Phocas and the master of offices Peter Patrician) and bad prefects (Marinos and John of Cappadocia). The bad prefects destroy the traditional values of the bureaucracy and bring chaos to the affairs of the prefecture. Only the good prefects who combine political virtues with love for letters can capably administer the institutions of the Roman State. For John, the main role of the emperors is therefore to foster the alliance between letters and government.