Mucianus

Family: Syria · Role: military commander · First appears: Histories I.72-76

Mucianus, a military commander in Syria, first secured the Syrian legions and the eastern provinces for Otho. Though he and Vespasian, governing neighbouring provinces, had quarrelled out of jealousy, Nero’s death brought them together; Titus became the bond that suppressed their rivalry. Mucianus then called Vespasian to claim the throne—“I myself, Vespasian, call you to the throne”—administered the oath to his troops at Antioch, and was sent with part of the forces against Vitellius. He competed with Fabius Valens and Caecina, and later urged delay while trying to keep the glory of the war for himself.

During the campaign, Mucianus sent the Sixth legion against the Dacian attack on the Danube and exchanged ambiguous instructions with Antonius Primus, sometimes urging advance and sometimes delay. He forwarded letters critical of Antonius Primus to Vespasian, and an offending letter from Antonius Primus led to a serious quarrel between them. Mucianus also sent less ambiguous instructions to Plotius Grypus and other trusted friends, while opposing Anicetus. After receiving full triumphal honours, he arrived in Rome and took control of affairs, ordering Calpurnius Galerianus’s arrest and death and forcing Octavius Sagitta and Antistius Sosianus back into exile. A centurion named Papirius, sent by Mucianus and accused of intending to assassinate Lucius Piso, was executed at Carthage.

In Rome, Domitian’s name headed official documents, but Mucianus held the real authority; he urged Domitian to remain at Lugdunum and prevented Antonius Primus from joining his staff. He weakened Antonius Primus and Arrius Varus by moving their loyal legions, displaced Arrius Varus to the corn-supply, appointed Annius Gallus and Petilius Cerialis to chief commands, and placed Arrecinus Clemens over the Guards. He ordered the murder of Vitellius’ son to end the remaining dissension, thwarted the Senate’s attempt at independence, and forced the return of petitioning exiles. At the beginning of Vespasian’s reign, he appointed Agricola commander of the twentieth legion after finding his conduct upright and magnanimous.