D. Pukhovets, PhD in History, Associate Professor

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2018.138.12

THE RIOT OF A.D. 387 IN ANTIOCH

The aim of the article is to consider the insurrection that took place at A.D. 387 in one of the 4 largest cities of the Roman Empire – Antioch. The political situation in the cities of the empire is analyzed through the prism of the rebellion – the relationship in the triangle: imperial power – curia (urban elite) – the population. The main sources from the history of revolt are analyzed in the clause. They are the speeches of the pagan orator Libanius and the Christian leader John Chrysostom. It was clarified with what purpose they wrote their works, on which listeners they were calculated, which facts about mutiny they wanted to submit truthfully, and what they wanted to conceal. The emphasis is on the causes of the uprising and the dynamics of its deployment. Separate consideration is given to the presence of a religious factor among the causes of rebellion. Particular attention is paid to the question which categories of the population took the most active part in the insurrection, which role in the events belonged to the theatrical claques. The situation in Antioch after the suppression of the uprising, the causes of chaos and disorder in the city are investigated. Also, it is followed the process of establishing the interaction between the central government of Emperor Theodosius I and the city elite of Antioch after the revolt. It was determined which punishments were received by various sections of the population of Antioch according to the decisions of the emperor and his representatives in Syria.

Key words: Roman Empire, Antioch, riot, Theodosius I, curia, theatrical claques.

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