A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

derived his origin from Tyrus in Phoenicia, as he states himself, " unde mihi origo." (Dig. 50. tit. 1. s. 1.) These words do not prove that he was a native of Tyre, as some have supposed; they rather prove that he was not, and that his ancestors were of that city. The time of Ulpian's birth is unknown. Some of his juristical works may have been written during the joint reign of Septimius Severus and Antoninus Caracalla (A. D. 211), but the greater part were written during the sole reign of Caracalla, especially the two great works Ad Edictum and the Libri ad Sabinum. He was banished or deprived of his functions under Elagabalus (Lamprid. Heliog. 100.16), who became emperor A. D. 217; but on the accession of Alexander Severus A. D. 222, he became the emperor's chief adviser, who is said to have followed Ulpian's counsel in his administration. (Lamprid. Alex. Sever. 51.) The emperor once designed to assign a peculiar dress to every office and rank, so that the condition of persons might be known from their attire; and he also proposed to give slaves a peculiar dress that they might be recognised among the people, and that slaves and ingenui might not mingle together. Ulpianus and Paulus dissuaded the emperor from this measure by good reasons. (Lamprid. Alex. Severus, 100.27.) As a proof of his confidence the emperor never saw any one of his friends alone, except the Praefectus Praetorio and Ulpian; and whenever he saw the praefect, he invited Ulpian. The emperor conferred on Ulpian the office of Scriniorum magister, and made him a consiliarius : he also held the office of Praefectus Annonae, as we see from a constitution of Alexander in which he entitles him " Domitius Ulpianus praefectus annonae jurisconsultus amicus meus." (Cod. 8. tit. 38. s. 4.) He also was made Praefectus Praetorio, but it is doubtful whether he first held this post under Elagabalus or under Alexander Severus. The epitomator of Dion says that Ulpian prepared the way for his promotion to the place of Praefectus Praetorio by causing his two predecessors, Flavianus and Chrestus, to be put to death. But there is no other evidence than this. (D. C. 80.2.) Zosimus (1.11) says that Ulpian was made a kind of associate with Flavianus and Chrestus in their office, by Mamaea, the mother of Alexander, and that the soldiers hereupon conspired against Ulpian, but their designs were anticipated by Mamaea, who took off their instigators, by whom, we must suppose, he means Flavianus and Chrestus; and Ulpianus was made sole praefectus praetorio. Ulpian perished by the hands of the soldiers, who forced their way into the palace at night, and killed him in the presence of the emperor and his mother, A. D. 228. As this happened so early in the reign of Alexander, the remark of Lampridius that the emperor chiefly availed himself of the advice of Ulpian in his administration, is only a proof of the carelessness of this writer. His promotion to the office of praefectus praetorio was probably an unpopular measure. A contest is mentioned between the Romans and the praetorian guards, which lasted three days, and was attended with great slaughter. The meagre epitome of Dion only leaves us to guess that Ulpian's promotion may have been connected with it.

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