Tettius Julianus

Lucius Tettius Julianus, in some passages of Tacitus is called "Titius", in others "Tertius", but Tettius is probably the correct form.^[1] He was the legate, or commander, of Legio VII Claudia, one of the three legions stationed in Moesia under Marcus Aponius Saturninus, and along with his fellow-commanders received consular ornaments from Otho, in consequence of a victory which they gained over the Rhoxolani, a Sarmatian tribe.^[2]

Shortly afterwards, Aponius Saturninus made an attempt upon the life of Tettius, apparently because of an old grudge. Tettius escaped across Mount Haemus, and Lucius Vipstanus Messalla, commander of one of the cohorts, replaced him.^[3] Tettius took no part in the fighting or intrigue of the Year of the Four Emperors, although the legion, which he commanded, espoused the cause of Vespasian, and pleaded various delays which prevented him from joining his troops. On the triumph of the party of Vespasian, he was, notwithstanding, appointed one of the praetors; but the Roman senate would not allow him to enter upon the dignity, and conferred his office upon Plotius Grypus, on 1 January 70. Domitian, however, almost immediately afterwards restored him to the praetorship.^[4]

Tettius was legate of Legio III Augusta from 80 through 82, effectively making him also governor of Numidia those years;^[5] this was followed with his accession to suffect consul for the nundinium of May–June 83 with Terentius Strabo Erucius Homullus as his colleague.^[6] The last office Tettius was known to have held was governor of Moesia Superior from 88 to 90.^[7]

He may be the brother of Gaius Tettius Africanus, prefect of Egypt, who married Funisulana Vettulla the daughter of Lucius Funisulanus Vettonianus, suffect consul in 78.^[8]

Notes

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William (1870). "Tettius". In Smith, William. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 3. p. 1014.