Dialogus de scientia politica DAY 2

Organised in collaboration with the Heidelberg University and the University of Zurich | UZH

The conference will be held in Italian and English

Based on the Dialogus de scientia politica, the planned conference will examine theoretical foundations of the Later Roman state by exploring conceptions of monarchical rule and ideals of just governance, drawing on Platonic theory and ideals of Roman constitutional thought. The conference will then focus on the possible author, the text’s intended audience and the form of the work itself. Finally, the analysis will look at the relationship between the emperor and various acceptance groups within the Roman state, i.e. the senate, the army, the citizens of Constantinople and the Church. In doing so, the conference will shed new light on a highly interesting and relevant text for the better understanding of Justinian’s I reign and political thought in the Later Roman Empire against the backdrop of ongoing scholarly endeavors.