ABSTRACT
The revolutionary changes in the economic, social and political structure of the Roman Empire, which in the third century were to produce a situation of general and continuing crisis, made a difference to life in Noricum no less than elsewhere. The period in the history of the province from the Marcomannic Wars to the reign of Diocletian saw conditions change in many respects. Since the alterations made by Marcus Aurelius, a governor of senatorial rank was responsible alike for the civilian administration and for the command of the army. As head of the civil administration the governor continued, after the time of Marcus Aurelius, to have his seat at Virunum. The government had perhaps already removed the mines and imperial estates in Noricum from the hands of the large-scale lease-holders during the reign of Antoninus Pius. Military personnel were seconded to work in the administration of the mines, as was the case in other provinces.
