 In 326 , Constantine reversed this pro @-@ equestrian trend , raising many administrative positions to senatorial rank and thus opening these offices to the old aristocracy , and at the same time elevating the rank of already existing equestrians office @-@ holders to senator , degrading the equestrian order — at least as a bureaucratic rank — in the process , so that by the end of the 4th century the title of perfectissimus was granted only to mid @-@ low officials . 
