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

The officers 65
fleet, and also of the African and Moorish cavalry chosen for scouting
duties in Pannonia, prefect of the first ala of Aravacans, while on active
service in Germany praised in public by emperor Antoninus Augustus
because he had killed with his own hand Valao, chief of the Naristi,
and was granted his horse, decorations, and weapons; in the same ala
he achieved the honour of his fourth military post, prefect of the ala of
lance-bearers, decorated in the war against the Germans and Sarmatians,
placed in charge with the honour of centenarian rank of the cavalry of
the peoples of the Marcomanni, Naristi, and Quadi journeying to punish
the insurrection in the east (i.e. the revolt of Avidius Cassius, AD 175),
with an increased salary appointed to the procuratorship of Lower
Moesia and at the same time placed in charge of detachments and sent
by the Emperor to drive out a band of Brisean brigands on the borders
of Macedonia and Thrace, procurator of Upper Moesia, procurator of
the province of Dacia Porolissensis, chosen by our most revered
emperors for admission to the senatorial order among men of praetorian
rank, and soon after legate of Legion I Adiutrix, also legate of Legion
II Adiutrix, placed in charge of the detachments in winter quarters at
Laugaricio, also legate of Legion V Macedonica, also legate of Legion
I Italica, also legate of Legion XIII Gemina, also legate of the Emperor
with propraetorian power of [Legion III Augusta], decorated by the
most noble Emperor Marcus Aurelius Commodus Augustus on the
second German expedition; the most distinguished council of the people
of Diana Veteranorum (set this up) with the money contributed.
Maximianus, from a wealthy family of Poetovio in Pannonia, had performed
valiant service as an equestrian officer and had attracted imperial attention
and support, indicated by his promotion to senatorial rank at praetorian level
and his immediate advancement to a series of legionary commands. We know
from another inscription that he later became consul (c. AD 186). Serious trouble
had begun on the Danube in AD 168, and in AD 170/171 Greece and the
approaches to Italy were invaded by tribes including the Marcomanni and
Quadi. Marcus Aurelius was prepared to promote men of military ability from
outside the senatorial order in the interests of the state, and Maximianus initially
performed a crucial role by ensuring supplies to the armies in Pannonia; cf.
text no. 115.
115 ILS 1107=Pflaum, Carrières 188, inscription, Rome, 2nd C. AD
To Marcus Macrinius Avitus Catonius Vindex, son of Marcus, of the
tribe Claudia, consul (c. AD 173), augur of the Roman people, legate
of the Emperor with propraetorian power of the province of Lower