ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the famous dictum of Edward Gibbon about the 'splendid theatre' of the late Roman bureaucracy 'filled with players of every character and degree'. It presents a female personification of Achaia as well as the insignia of its provincial governor. The personified Achaia appears as a single female carrying the tax tribute. A long and monotonous listing of anonymous office holders coexists in the illustrated Notitia with richly coloured representations. In the body of the text, the Notitia has firmly established and strictly followed formulas, which are challenged by colourful representations, normally found at the beginning of each section of the document. The four personifications of the basic imperial qualities—Virtus, Scientia rei militaris, Auctoritas, Felicitas—correspond to the divine ability of the emperor to foresee and foreknow the political developments that are requisite for the state's good health. Indeed, Cicero associated these four qualities with the idea of the perfect ruler.
