The Role & Status of "Praefectus Castrorum"

[D B Campbell]

Of course, if Poenius Postumus, PC of Legio II Augusta, had guessed correctly ...

Ah, indeed -- if only ...

I believe that this post [praefectus legionis] was (uniquely?) reserved to an equestrian, governors normally being of senatorial rank.

All military praefecti are equestrians. Since no senator could set foot in Egypt, the legion(s) there had to be commanded by praefecti instead of the usual senatorial legati. (Similarly, the province was governed by the Praefectus Aegypti, a high-ranking equestrian.)

Vegetius quote ... is the first original evidence I have seen of the principal roles of the Praefectus Castrorum. I note with interest that nowhere does it mention command of troops in battle.

It would be surprising if our highly-decorated, experienced ex-centurion -- in effect, the highest ranking career-soldier in the legion -- was not entrusted with the odd battlefield command. As far as original evidence, turn to Tac., Ann. 13.39, for Insteius Capito commanding part of Corbulo's army in Armenia; Jos., Bell. Jud. 2.531 & 544, for Turranius Priscus commanding VI Ferrata in Judaea; ...
or indeed the well-known C. Velius Rufus (ILS 9200), who (after holding the post of primus pilus) was praef(ectus) vexillariorum leg(ionum) -- clearly a variant of the usual praef. castr.

[john m roberts]

I recall reading somewhere that the rank of praefectus castrorum was held for only a single year, that it was awarded to a primus pilus a year before his retirement, and that it was a reward for a career of distinguished service, and a final opportunity to line his purse with bribes for all the contracts he awarded. I don't know if this is true, but it certainly fits in with the ethic of every other military establishment I've ever studied.

[D B Campbell]

I recall reading somewhere that the rank of praefectus castrorum was held for only a single year, that it was awarded to a primus pilus a year before his retirement, and that it was a reward for a career of distinguished service, and a final opportunity to line his purse with bribes for all the contracts he awarded.

You're maybe thinking of the post of primus pilus, John. It is thought to have been a 1-year post.
Thereafter, as a primipilaris, our ex-centurion was free to retire from imperial service, or take up either the post of praefectus castrorum in a legion or tribune in one of the Rome cohorts.

Did successful PCs on occasion move into civil administration, given that further promotion in the army was virtually impossible (lack of status/political influence and age).

It depends what you mean by civil administration. We're talking about a military career in the emperor's service. As a de facto equestrian, the primipilaris was free to compete for the equestrian procuratorships (e.g. a financial procuratorship in an imperial province, a procurator-governorship, a fleet command) and prefectures (e.g. prefect of a legion in Egypt, prefect of one of the Parthica legions, prefect of vigiles in Rome, etc).

Of course, if our man retired, he was free to take up a post in local government, e.g. as duovir in his home town.

[D B Campbell]

I note, with suitable irony, that I have just achieved the rank of praefectus castrorum on RAT. hock: I trust that a Rome tribunate beckons!

[C.Armiger]

I note, with suitable irony, that I have just achieved the rank of praefectus castrorum on RAT. I trust that a Rome tribunate beckons!

Thought you were speaking from first-hand experience!

[D B Campbell]

Thought you were speaking from first-hand experience!

:wink:

[Roy]

According to Connolly's Greece and Rome at War, the rank of Praefectus Castrorum was created by Augustus.
Seems we've been discussing a lot if irrevelant stuff, if that's true

Anyone know of any mentions of a Praefectus Castrorum during republican times?

[Lucius Poblius]

Greece and Rome at War is Connolly!

[Roy]

Indeed :oops:

[D B Campbell]

According to Connolly's Greece and Rome at War, the rank of Praefectus Castrorum was created by Augustus.
Seems we've been discussing a lot if irrevelant stuff, if that's true

Maybe you have, Roy! -

Did the Legion's PC tend to have more experience in logistics and administration than in battle?