What is constitutio antoniniana?

The Constitutio Antoniniana, also known as the Edict of Caracalla, was a decree issued by the Roman Emperor Caracalla in 212 CE. The decree granted Roman citizenship to all free residents of the Empire, regardless of their social status or origin. This was a significant change in Roman policy, as previously citizenship had been restricted to certain classes and regions.

The Constitutio Antoniniana was intended to increase the loyalty of the people to the Empire and the Emperor, as well as to increase tax revenue by expanding the pool of citizens subject to taxation. It was also seen as a way to strengthen the Roman military, as those who were citizens were eligible to serve in the army.

However, some scholars argue that the decree was not as momentous as it is sometimes portrayed. Many people in the Empire, particularly in the eastern provinces, already enjoyed some form of Roman citizenship or local citizenship that conferred similar rights. Additionally, the decree did not extend citizenship to slaves or freed slaves.

Overall, the Constitutio Antoniniana marked an important shift in Roman citizenship policy and helped to solidify the unity of the Empire.