La loi censoriale sur les mines en Gaule cisalpine : un réexamen

Abstract

This article concerns the exploitation of mines in Cisalpine Gaul undertaken by societates publicanorum after the Roman conquest (2nd c. BCE). It especially focuses on the meaning of a lex censoria about the gold mines of Victimulae (Biella), which is quoted by Pliny the Elder (NH 33.78) and which limits the number of labourers that publicans were allowed to employ in this activity. This paper reconstructs the most convincing historical context where such a rule can be placed. The comparison between Pliny and a passage from Strabo’s Geography (5.1.12) shows that the censorial law dates back to the 2nd century BCE, just after Appius Claudius Pulcher’s campaign (143-140 BCE), and before C. Marius’ rise to power. Then, it is noted that the mines of Victimulae are financially rewarding insofar their exploitation is conducted in a large-scale enterprise by publicans. The ceiling on the number of labourers was therefore meant to reduce publicans’ profits. We may contextualize this lex censoria as a chapter in the systematic dismantling (in 120-100 BCE) of the Gracchan reforms and of the fundamental principles that had inspired the policy of populares (notably of M. Fulvius Flaccus) in Cisalpine Gaul.