Vicende del cursus publicus al tempo del foedus gothicum (382 d.C.)

Six laws from the Theodosian Code, title De cursu publico angariis parangariis (C.Th.8.5), were issued by the Oriental Administration in 382 AD, in the troubled period running up to the foedus Ghoticum. The present paper aims to interpret the complex relationship between the laws and their times, analysing the content and historical connections of the imperial measures and comparing them to legislation reflecting other critical times (like the imperial constitutions emanated by Julian, Valentinian I and Honorius in attempts to deal with similar circumstances). The paper discusses the strategic value of the postal system and how Theodosius sought to strengthen and protect it from corruption and criminality, as well as the methods he used.