Overview of the Historical Provinces of Palaestina Prima and Palaestina Secunda

In the 4th century, the Roman provincial administration underwent significant reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and mitigating the risk of revolts. This reorganization led to the establishment of three distinct provinces in the region of Palestine: Palaestina Prima, Palaestina Secunda, and Palaestina Tertia. Palaestina Prima, with its capital in Caesarea, encompassed the central areas of Palestine, including the coastal plain, Judea, and Samaria. Palaestina Secunda, headquartered in Scythopolis, covered northern Transjordan, the lower Jezreel Valley, the Galilee, and the Golan Heights. Lastly, Palaestina Tertia, with its capital in Petra, included the Negev, southern Transjordan, and parts of the Sinai Peninsula. This restructuring was part of a broader strategy to reduce the territorial control of individual governors, thereby improving administrative efficiency and decreasing the likelihood of uprisings. Following the division of the Roman Empire in 395, these provinces became integral parts of the Eastern Roman Empire, further solidifying their administrative significance in the region.