Marcus Pompeius Silvanus Staberius Flavianus

Pompeius Silvanus, fully Marcus Pompeius Silvanus Staberius Flavinus or Flavianus (died 83), was a Roman senator who was consul twice.

Werner Eck has stated that he was from Arelate, but certainly came from Gallia Narbonensis; Silvanus was the son of the senator M. Pompeius M.f. Priscus, known from an unpublished senatus consultum of AD 20.[1] The additional three nomina of his name -- "Silvanus Staberius Flavianus" -- is due to either a testamentary adoption, or comes from his mother's family.

The first time he was consul was as suffect for the nundinium of 45 as the colleague of Aulus Antoninus Rufus.[2] This was followed a little more than ten years later as Proconsul of Africa from 56 to 58.[3] After returning to Rome Silvanus was charged for actions related to his governance but was acquitted by the Emperor.[4]

During the Year of the Four Emperors, Silvanus was appointed governor of Dalmatia by Galba. Tacitus describes him as "rich and advanced in years",[5] which was likely what Galba wanted: a complacent non-entity overseeing an important province. However, he proved pliable by the legatus legionis Lucius Annius Bassus, who encouraged him to support Vespasian at the critical moment.[6] In reward for his loyalty, Flavianus was appointed to a second consulship for the nundinium of either March-April or May-June 76 as the colleague of Lucius Tampius Flavianus.[7]

An inscription has been recovered in Croatia attests that Silvanus appointed several individuals to arbitrate a boundary dispute between Alveria (modern Bjelina) and Asseria (modern Podgrađe).[8]

Silvanus was designated as consul a third time for the year 83, but died before he could assume office.[3] Tactius mentions that Silvanus had no children.[4]

References
  1. Eck, "M. Pompeius Silvanus, consul designatus tertium: Ein Vertrauter Vespasians und Domitians", Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik, 9 (1972), p. 266
  2. Paul Gallivan, "The Fasti for the Reign of Claudius", Classical Quarterly, 28 (1978), pp. 408, 424
  3. Jones, Brian (2002). The Emperor Domitian. New York: Taylor & Francis. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-203-03625-9.
  4. Tacitus, Annales, XIII.52
  5. Tacitus, Histories, II.86
  6. Gwyn Morgan, 69 A.D. The Year of Four Emperors (Oxford:University Press, 2006), p. 228
  7. Paul Gallivan, "The Fasti for A. D. 70-96", Classical Quarterly, 31 (1981), pp. 201, 214
  8. Thomas Elliott (2004). Epigraphic Evidence for Boundary Disputes in the Roman Empire (PhD). University of North Carolina. pp. 93f.
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