Abstract:

There were two Roman colonies in the northeast of Hispania Citerior: Tarraco and Barcino, and they had a very different character. The first was the capital of the Province whilst the latter was simply a small city. Here, we gather both similarities and specificities across privileged social classes, with the promotion channels that to a large extent were made possible thanks to the institution of imperial cult. The importance of the senators has been verified during the Trajan era, with the leading figure that was Lucius Licinius Sura and the carriers of the Licinii Silvani and the Minicii Natales. Particular attention is paid to the prominent senatorial Pedanii’s family and the figure of Iulius Ursus Servianus. A vast literature considers that these came from Barcino, although actually there is not reliable proof of that; they keep being senators in search of Origo. Finally, not only the epigraphic texts provide valuable information, but also the supports and their stone material.