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RESEARCH PRODUCT

« Te vir laudabilis illum defensore necnon et vos honerati que curas puplicas agitis adsidue… Regards sur la vitalité civique des cités post-romaines de Gaule »

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While the classical civic organization is said to have disappeared in the West after 500, defensores, honorati, curies and curiales are still attested in Frankish Gaul until the 9th century, which has been discussed for a long time. A re-examination of the available evidence infers the existence of curies in some twenty Gallic cities at least. According to the historiography, they didn’t govern cities anymore, but were the local partners of the count and the bishop. However, at their lower level, and probably with much diversity from one city to another, they had their own functions and real autonomy. They remained places of power, expression and distinction for local aristocracy and were involved in the political game until their likely disappearance in the 9th century.