Abstract

In the fasti of almost all praetorian provinces there seems to be a lacuna in the years 54 to 51 BC. In fact, there is not a single praetor from the colleges 55, 54 and 53 BC for whom a province ex praetura is known. It is argued here that anarchy and obstruction made the allocation of provinces impossible from 55 BC onwards. This was probably the main reason for the senateʼs decision in 53 BC to send privati to the provinces.