Infrastrutture idrauliche nella provincia d'Asia: provvedimenti romani e amministrazione indiretta

This paper examines selected Early Imperial epigraphic sources from the province of Asia that record provisions issued by emperors (e.g. I.Ephesos II, 401; V, 1523–1524; I.Sardis I.10; II, 416; I.Aphrodisias2007, 11.412) and proconsuls (e.g. I.Eph. III, 695; I.Eph. II, 415–416; VII.1, 3217A–B; I.Kibyra 19) concerning the management of aqueducts. These inscriptions provide a valuable vantage point for investigating the relationship between provincial cities and both imperial and proconsular administration during the Principate. Analysis of the epigraphic evidence reveals significant differences linked to distinct civic statuses, closely corresponding to recent scholarly reconstructions of the dynamics of indirect rule characteristic of the eastern provinces. Special attention will be devoted to contrasting proconsular provisions regarding civitates liberae with those regarding civitates stipendiariae. The paper will also explore the extent to which proconsular regulations reflect the legal frameworks established for the city of Rome, as defined by leges publicae and senatusconsulta, highlighting a precise reception of central normative models within the provincial context. This process of reception calls for closer historical-legal analysis and explanation.