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

The officers 57
from the Romanized provinces were advanced (Pflaum, Carrières; 1960–
1; Saller 1980; 1982; Brunt 1983).
99 Pliny (1st–2nd C.AD), Letters 2. 13
Pliny to Priscus. You would willingly seize every opportunity of obliging
me, and there is no one to whom I should prefer to be in debt. Therefore
for two reasons I decided to approach you rather than anyone else with a
request, which I am extremely anxious to obtain. You command a large
army and this gives you a plentiful supply of largesse; moreover, the long
period of your command has already enabled you to advance your own
friends. Please turn your attention to mine—they are not numerous…
This is perhaps Javolenus Priscus who was governor of Syria possibly at the end
of Domitian’s reign. It was in the power of consular governors to appoint some
of the officers of the units in their province, though this prerogative was limited
by the number of posts available and the need to ensure the emperor’s general
approval (Letters, 4. 4, and texts nos 100, 101, Saller 1982:105–6, 131–4). Pliny
is not always interested in citing the qualities that might recommend his nominee
for appointment. Where he does so, his comments are bland and general—
friendship with Pliny, good birth, intellect, good conversation, diligence, honesty—
implying no special suitability for military command.
100 Pliny, Letters 3. 8
Pliny to Suetonius Tranquillus. The manner in which you so discreetly
request that I should transfer to your relative Caesennius Silvanus the
military tribunate which I obtained for you from the distinguished
senator Neratius Marcellus, is in keeping with the respect that you
always display towards me. It would have brought me great delight to
see you as tribune, but I shall be equally pleased to see some one else in
that post through your efforts… Your name has not yet been entered
in the records, so it is easy for me to substitute Silvanus in your place,
and I hope that your kindness is as gratifying to him as mine is to you.
Suetonius, man of letters and biographer of the emperors, had been offered a
post in the gift of Neratius Marcellus (consul AD 95), who was governor of
Britain by AD 103.
101 Pliny, Letters 7. 22
Pliny to Pompeius Falco. You will be less surprised at my rather insistent
approach to you to grant a tribunate to a friend of mine, when you
discover his identity and character. Since you have given me your word
I can now reveal his name and tell you something about him. He is