Vir illustris

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Vir illustris ("outstanding man"; also illustrissimus , plural viri illustres ) was the highest senatorial rank in the late ancient Roman Empire .

The title appeared sporadically in the Principate's time , but only got its final form in late antiquity. During the reign of Valentinian I (364 to 375), members of the Senate were given special priority with this title. At the beginning of the 5th century, high officials also wore this rank, such as the Praetorian prefects , city ​​prefects , army masters and various comites at courts and consuls who were particularly respected. They were also members of the Senate. Theodosius I at the latest also bestowed the rank on bishops. The title was not hereditary and now denoted the highest rank at court and in the senate. This was followed by the viri spectabiles , then the simple senators (the viri clarissimi ). Only the rank of clarissimus has been hereditary since Constantine I.

The increase in the number of people meant that in the 5th and 6th centuries only viri illustres were actually allowed to sit in the Senate and enjoyed numerous privileges. The Senate, which was again an assembly of the highest active and former office holders, thus gained considerably in importance. These regulations were tightened again by Justinian , who also awarded the title to patricii , which, however, were generally already illustrious . Justinian tried to establish two further ranks within this group, the gloriosi and magnifici , but this innovation did not prevail, and the illustres remained the top status group within the late Roman aristocracy until the end of antiquity .

The title was still in the early Middle Ages use, be sure, in a different context: So was the domesticus the Merovingian (who was responsible for the administration of royal courts) this rank predicate, as well as designated the West Frankish king Charles III. in documents as vir illustris .

literature

  • Adolf Lippold : Illustris vir. In: The Little Pauly (KlP). Volume 2, Stuttgart 1967, column 1366 f.
  • Henrik Löhken: Ordines dignitatum. Investigations into the formal constitution of the late antique ruling class. Böhlau, Cologne et al. 1982, ISBN 3-412-03081-3 ( Cologne historical treatises. Volume 30).