Cambridge Ancient Hi.. - Index of

the structures of government 177
working on the Theodosian Code might be honorary quaestor, or men
charged with supplying an army for a campaign might rank as praetorian
prefects. Some of those so honoured were vacantes, without specific duties,
but still (presumably) enjoying the official salary of their rank.
Recruitment to the corps of notaries might also be a way of honouring
high-flyers with a sinecure post, but many notaries withdrew entirely from
their nominal duties at court. In the sixth century, in particular under
Justinian, the number of high honorary officials, especially prefects, proliferated
enormously, as did the more formally honorific titles of patrician
and honorary consul, far beyond the capacity of the emperors to find occasional
employment for them. The emperors were enlarging the pool of
gentry who were bound more directly to them than those associated with
the traditions of town councils or state departments; like politicians at
other periods, they also increased their revenues through the sale of
honours (see further below). The practice testifies to the integration of the
imperial system and its wealthier subjects, who pressed for admission; it
may also reflect Justinian’s problems with the established aristocracy, especially
during the 520s when he was desperate to ensure his succession to the
throne. In the long run, this tendency to separate power and status from
imperial service must have weakened emperors and devalued the active
offices on which status was ultimately based. 54
Another potential challenge to imperial domination might be provided
by the senates of Rome and Constantinople, which embodied the traditions
of Rome even more than did imperial office. Constantine I and
Valentinian I had made senatorial membership the highest reward for
service; senatorial approval still legitimated emperors or actively aided their
accessions, as it did for Anastasius and Justin II; the senate at Rome may
have played a part in the rise of Theodahad to the Gothic kingship. 55
Senators were also capable of passive resistance, and even active opposition
to rulers. Justin I and Justinian, for example, both submitted controversial
plans to the senate and faced strong opposition, led on one occasion
by the quaestor Proclus and on another by the praetorian prefect John the
Cappadocian. 56 Phocas seems to have encountered determined opposition
from the administrative and social élite in Constantinople. The elimination
of Boethius reflects Theoderic’s justified anxiety about the behaviour of
the Roman senate.
Again outside the administrative structures, but loosely associated with
them by function, and by imperial honours, payments and supervision, stood
the professional groups of lawyers, doctors and teachers. The judicial functions
of Roman magistrates and emperors, and the engagement in litigation
54 The fasti in PLRE iii provide lists of honorary offices and ranks.
55 For this speculation, see Barnish (1990) 28–30.
56 Theophanes 168.2–6; Procop. Wars i.11.10–18; 3.10.
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