03-30-2014, 01:26 PM
All we know about Poemenius is the brief line in Ammianus Book 15 about his death and his earlier resistance to Decentius.
Presumably he was implicated in the usurpation of Silvanus, or was named by one of the many informers as having been involved. Most of those accused and executed following the affair seem to have been loyal officers right up to the moment of revolt.
Ammianus suggests there was something fishy about the whole thing, and that the trials, tortures and executions were more of a panicked witch-hunt. Probably the upper hierarchy of the Gallic aristocracy and military command was taking the opportunity to settle some old personal scores.
Presumably he was implicated in the usurpation of Silvanus, or was named by one of the many informers as having been involved. Most of those accused and executed following the affair seem to have been loyal officers right up to the moment of revolt.
Ammianus suggests there was something fishy about the whole thing, and that the trials, tortures and executions were more of a panicked witch-hunt. Probably the upper hierarchy of the Gallic aristocracy and military command was taking the opportunity to settle some old personal scores.
Nathan Ross
