Un discours de Constance II au sénat de Constantinople en l honneur du préfet du prétoire Philippe (inscription de Pergè, 352 ap. J.-C.)

This article offers the first complete edition of a long Latin document inscribed on the arch of Hadrian at Perge. This inscription is a copy of the speech addressed in 352 by Emperor Constantius II (337–361) to the senate of Constantinople, in order to have statues of Philippus (praetorian prefect 344–353?) erected in Constantinople and in the provinces. The text reveals previously unpublished aspects of his career already during the reign of Constantine, when Constantius was still Caesar (324–337). Philippus took part in the education of Constance. He became his cura palatii during the stay of Caesar Constantius in the East (335–337). A long gap in the inscription leaves more than ten years of Philippus’ career in darkness. The text takes up with the conflict between Constantius II and his rival Magnentius (350–353). In addition to the known literary sources, the inscription provides new details on the courageous resistance of Philippus, prisoner of Magnentius, and his release after Constantius’ victory at Mursa. Two dedications of statues of Philippus, in Perge and Cyprus, are republished in the appendix.