Traditions and their impacts on the Gallic and Palmyrene Empires

What is it about?

Rome's political, social and cultural traditions played an important role for the constitution and self-image of the Gallic and Palmyrene Empire in the 2nd half of the 3rd century CE, as an extensive study of literary and documentary sources attest, whereby epigraphic and numismatic evidence is of great importance. While the emperors of the Imperium Galliarum temporary succeeded in creating their own identity by imitating and at the same time distinguishing themselves from the central empire, rulers of the Palmyrene Empire attempted to do the same, but ultimately failed due to military pressure on the part of emperor Aurelian.

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Photo by JOE Planas on Unsplash

Photo by JOE Planas on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The present paper demonstrates how the imitation and subsequent adaptation of traditional Roman political, social and cultural structures by the rulers of the Gallic and Palmyrene Empire contributed to the temporary stability of their usurped reign. It thus adds to ongoing discussions on the status, functioning and impact of the named empires, while at the same time emphasizing benefits and challenges when studying traditions and their significance for governments in antiquity.