09-04-2010, 01:20 PM
Quote:I don't think Sulpicianus necessarily came directly from his posting in Crete-Cyrenaica
I thought it might be likely, actually - he must have done something to advance himself in the Flavian cause, and holding Crete-Cyrenaica and the important supply routes for Vespasian during 69 might have been just that (he was actually half Cretan himself, so may have had special sway with the populace!).
Quote:The fact that Sulpicianus handed over to another intermediate stop-gap (a certain Terentius Rufus) underlines the fact that he wasn't really qualified to hold this command but was perhaps the only Flavian partisan available at short notice
But his corona muralis implies that he was at least involved in the capture of Jerusalem, probably in command of the legion and leading from the front (again unusual, especially since he never appears to have served as a military tribune).
Quote:It's difficult to say, as his career seems to have been cut short soon afterwards (ILS 987).
Interestingly, his son Larcius Priscus seems to have had a similar 'extraordinary commission'. He was sent to Syria to be legate of Legio IV Scythica and temporary governor of the province (pro legato consulare), apparently shortly after serving as quaestor of Asia. This might have been connected with the rumoured difficulties in Syria during Nerva's reign.
- Nathan
Nathan Ross
