Political and Administrative Structure of Isauria Province in the 4th Century AD

Abstract

In ancient times, the Lycaonian and Taurus mountains from the north, Cilicia from the east, and the fields surrounded by Pamphylia from the west were called Isauria and their people called Isaurians. Very few parts of the area which is rugged in terms of land structure are suitable for agriculture. The region has been the scene of many bandits and rebellions throughout the ancient period, especially during the Roman period. It is possible to see the most concrete example of this situation of Isauria in the 4th century AD. The region has been the scene of widespread to banditry activities and revolts in the almost every decade, especially in the second half of the century. The Isaurians, who frequently rebelled due to famine and starvation, attacked to the Cilicia and Pamphylia coasts and the Lycaonia plain almost every time. It is also understood that some changes have been made to the administration of the state as a precaution against the Isauria revolts. As a matter of fact, in the 4th century AD, there is a relationship between the banditry activities in the region and the violence of revolts and the authority which given to the administration and administrators by the Rome in Isauria. In fact, the rulers of the province of Isauria in the first half of the 4th century used only civil powers with the title of praeses Isauria. However, in the second half of the same century, it is understood that they use the titles of comes or comes et praeses, reinforced with military powers, in relation with the violence of the events in the province. The same situation clearly manifests itself in the election of the rulers of the State of Isauria. In this context, the name Flavius is remarkable as name number of managers from the 4th century AD. Probably due to the sensitive situation from the events in the region, these managers were chosen among the people who were close to the Roman administration and had a successful professional career in the past. It is understood that the events in the second half of the 4th century AD increased the military significance of the State of Isauria. For this reason, the Roman government not only deployed permanent legions in the region, but also built fortresses and towers at the strategic points of the Taurus Mountains to suppress the rebellions in Isauria and to fight effectively with the outlaws. The document that best summarizes this situation of the region is Notitia Dignitatum, which shows the military and administrative authorities of Rome. The two architectural structures of Isauria in the Notitia Dignitatum are probably the two legions of the building, while the five architectural structures at the top of the line separating the Taurus Mountains must point to the castles and towers in the region. Two of them are probably Nunu (Antiokheia) and Aşağı Akın fortresses on the northeastern border of the area where Isauria rebellions are concentrated and others should be searched in the immediate vicinity.