Chapter 3 - The Colonate in the East, 438–527

Summary

The transmission of the condicio coloniaria appears determined by the characterisation of it as a lesser status and the senatusconsultum Claudianum used as correction. But this was not restricted to coloni. Other groups involved in an industry important for the emperor (weapon smiths, silk weavers, purple snail divers, miners, minters) were also tied and subjected, as the corporati of towns, important for the municipal services (fire men, etc.). The term condicionales is used. However, from the enumeration it follows that the lesser status, which also impeded the fulfillment of official functions, was restricted to these groups and was not a general phenomenon.