The Roman Army, 31 BC–AD 337: A Sourcebook

The army in politics 191
but in reality to avoid any disturbance in Rome if he were to be punished
there; he was then removed from Egypt to Crete where he was executed.
There is alarming evidence that Severus Alexander failed to establish discipline
and respect in the army during his reign. After the incident described above the
praetorian guard was ready to attack Dio himself because he had reportedly
enforced strict discipline in Pannonia; the emperor had to request him to spend
his second consulship outside Rome. Moreover, revolts and low morale persisted
in the provincial armies. Severus Alexander, who had become emperor through
military coup, failed to master the problems caused by soldiers who expected
more from their emperor than ever before, in respect both of financial rewards,
and also of effective military leadership. So, when Maximinus plotted against
Alexander, he could appeal to his own tough military bearing in contrast to the
emperor’s incapacity as a leader of the army, as well as his parsimony.
317 Herodian, 6. 9
(Severus Alexander tries to rally his men) But some demanded the
execution of the military prefect and Alexander’s confidants, arguing
that they had been responsible for the retreat. Others criticized his
mother for her greed and miserliness; because of this parsimony and a
reluctance to distribute donatives, Alexander was detested. So, the
soldiers stayed where they were for a time shouting out different
complaints. But the army of Maximinus was already in sight, and the
young recruits called out to their comrades to desert a miserly little
sissy and cowardly little boy who was a slave of his mother, and join a
man who was courageous and moderate, always their fellow-soldier in
battle, and devoted to the military arts. The soldiers were won over,
abandoned Alexander and went over to Maximinus, who was acclaimed
emperor by everyone.
318 Epictetus (1st-2nd C.AD), Discourses 4. 13. 5
Moreover, we think that we can safely trust the person who has already
confided his business to us. For we feel that he would never reveal our
business because of a fear that we would reveal his. This is how reckless
people are caught by soldiers in Rome. A soldier in civilian dress sits
down next to you and starts to revile the emperor; then since you have
a kind of security from him of his good faith since he began the abuse,
you speak your mind and are immediately hauled off to prison.
This is the view of one contemporary source (Epictetus was probably referring
to circumstances in Rome in the time of Domitian) that the army was inextricably
linked with the political well-being of the emperor, and although this is the