Hordeonius Flaccus

Also known as: Flaccus · Family: Roman Empire · Role: ex-consul and commander · First appears: Histories I.53-57

During the uprising against Galba, Hordeonius Flaccus stood by and watched the treachery, lacking the courage to check it or rally the faithful; “Sluggish and cowardly, it was mere indolence that kept him loyal.” Under Vitellius, he was left to guard the Rhine.

At the Batavian Island, Flaccus initially furthered Civilis’ schemes by ignoring them, but after reports of Roman defeats he ordered Munius Lupercus to march against the enemy. He then told Herennius Gallus at Bonn to block the Batavians and promised support, only to countermand the order and let the rebels pass undisturbed. During the siege of Vetera, he recruited auxiliaries, gave Dillius Vocula picked soldiers, and imprisoned a mutineer to assert his authority; when the army demanded Vocula’s leadership, Flaccus resigned the chief command to him. Gallus later accused him of treason, while Vespasian was said to owe his rise more to Flaccus than to Antonius Primus or Mucianus.

At last, mutinous Roman soldiers dragged Flaccus from his bed and murdered him. In a later account, Civilis claimed that Antonius Primus had urged his revolt and that Flaccus confirmed the instructions by word of mouth.