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How did the Byzantine Empire divide Palestine into administrative provinces?

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By the end of the 4th century CE, the Byzantine Empire had reorganized the region of Palestine into three distinct administrative provinces:

  • Palaestina Prima: Centered with its capital at Caesarea.
  • Palaestina Secunda: Centered with its capital at Scythopolis (modern-day Beit She'an).
  • Palaestina Salutaris (or Palaestina Tertia): Centered with its capital at Petra or possibly Elusa.

While these provinces were divided for civil administration, a single dux of Palestine maintained command over the military garrisons across all three territories. Additionally, by 451 CE, the bishop of Jerusalem was recognized as the patriarch overseeing these three provinces.1