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

248 The Roman Army
(Alexander) gave a banquet for Camillus with all the imperial trappings
and indeed on a grander scale than he usually enjoyed himself. When
an expedition against the barbarians was proclaimed he invited Camillus
to go himself if he wished, or to accompany him. And when the emperor
marched on foot, he invited him to share the toil; then, after five miles
Alexander told the flagging senator to ride on horseback; and when
after two post-houses he was tired even by the horse riding, placed him
in a carriage. But this too Camillus could not endure, either genuinely
or because he was terrified, and abdicated from the imperial power.
Although he was expecting to be executed, Alexander let him go,
commending him to the soldiers…
The Historia Augusta is a series of imperial biographies covering the period
AD 117–284 and purports to have been written by six authors in the time of
Diocletian and Constantine. However, scholars have been very sceptical, most
arguing for single authorship and many for a date in the late fourth century. It
is a very unreliable source, containing many inventions and inaccuracies, and
in particular most of the supposedly offical documents and letters it quotes are
false. It is, therefore, difficult to use the Historia Augusta unless it is supported
by other source material. This passage is completely fictitious and is presented
here (along with text no. 401) as a possible illustration of an upper class view
of the role of the emperor with his soldiers in the late fourth century: the threat
of conspiracy by ambitious senators, the looming power of the army, the need
for an emperor to take personal direction of campaigns, sharing the rigours
involved and setting an example, the need to court popularity with the troops.
401 Historia Augusta, Life of Probus 22. 4–23. 3
Probus’ own words indicate very clearly what he was hoping to be able
to achieve, when he said that in a short time soldiers would not be
required. Well aware of his own abilities he did not fear either barbarians
or tyrants. What kind of happiness would have sprung up if under that
emperor soldiers had ceased to exist? No provincial would be providing
supplies, no payments would be disbursed in largesse, the Roman state
would have an endless supply of money, the emperor would not be
spending any money, and nothing would be handed over by owners.
Truly he was promising a golden age. There would be no military camps,
the trumpet would not need to be heard anywhere, weapons would
not have to be made, and that mass of soldiers who now wear out the
state in civil wars, would take to the plough, engage in studious pursuits,
become familiar with the arts, and sail the seas. Moreover, no one would
be killed in war.