Iustinianos – der neue Augustus? Adoption, Name und Propaganda eines künftigen Kaisers

Abstract

Justinian -the New Augustus? Adoption, Name and Propaganda of a Future Emperor This is a reappraisal of the evidence for the adoption of the later emperor Justinian by his uncle Justin, which has been questioned by Noethlichs (2001). Even though Justinian ' s references to Justin as his 'father ' are not conclusive, the epigram Anth. Gr. I, 97 can be evaluated as a reliable positive indication. The name 'Justinian ' is the original name of the emperor and has nothing to do with the adoption, whereas the names 'Petrus ' and 'Sabbatius ' as attested in the consular diptychs are secondary names, the former perhaps being a model for the subsequent fashion of devotional cognomina. Finally, the related issues of possible propaganda by Justinian (his comparison to Augustus adopted by Caesar) and its reception (by Procopius or John the Lydian) are discussed.