<i>Notitia Dignitatum</i>
Bernhard Palme
The Notitia dignitatum tam civilium quam militarium in partibus orientis/occidentis (ND) presents itself as a schematic manual, which itemizes the civil and military hierarchy of later Roman Empire. Divided into an eastern section (Or.) western (Occ.), its approximately three thousand six hundred lines text provide overview high officials order seniority. ND comprises ninety chapters, each describing official or commander by his rank title, area competence, subaltern personnel bureaus units, garrisons under command. offers unique insight organization Empire from top positions at courts –beginning with praefecti praetorio branch magistri militum armed forces – down to dioceses provinces, well commands distribution troops. Colorful illustrations, depicting up twenty objects, show insignia position, vignettes major towns responsibility, shield emblems allegorical representations provinces (simulacra provinciarum) (Berger 1981; Grigg 1983; Di Dario 2005). In extant form, is greatest surviving source for bureaucracy Late Though highly problematic, it outstanding importance administrative history fourth fifth centuries CE.
The Encyclopedia of Ancient History