01-04-2006, 07:52 PM
The military organisation of the Equestrian order under the empire is quite well known - i.e. the Claudian progression from cohort prefect to legion tribune to ala commander. But what roles might equestrians have filled in civilian society, when they weren't in the army? I'm thinking particularly about the more junior positions - not everybody got to be Procurator of the Aemilian Way or Praefect of Egypt, after all.
Is there evidence of equestrians filling positions in provincial government, as decemviri or similar? The Leg II Aug site mentions two Equestrian tribunes having been 'personal assistant to a senator' before their military service - can anyone explain what the actual title for this might have been, and what it involved? Could an equestrian have joined the officium of a provincial governor, perhaps?
Any answers/hints/guesses much appreciated!
Is there evidence of equestrians filling positions in provincial government, as decemviri or similar? The Leg II Aug site mentions two Equestrian tribunes having been 'personal assistant to a senator' before their military service - can anyone explain what the actual title for this might have been, and what it involved? Could an equestrian have joined the officium of a provincial governor, perhaps?
Any answers/hints/guesses much appreciated!
Nathan Ross
