Gaius Fulvius Plautianus

Gaius Fulvius Plautianus
Plautianus
Born Leptis Magna, Africa Province
Died 205
Rome
Allegiance Roman Empire
Years of service 197–205
Rank Praetorian prefect
Unit Praetorian Guard
Other work Consul of the Roman Empire in 203

Gaius or Lucius Fulvius Plautianus (c. 150 – 22 January 205) was a member of the Roman gens Fulvia.

Plautianus was originally from Leptis Magna, southeast of Carthage (modern Libya, North Africa). He was a maternal cousin and long-time friend of the Emperor Septimius Severus. Plautianus' father was another Gaius Fulvius Plautianus, born c. 130, whose sister, Fulvia Pia (c. 125 - after 198), was married to Severus' father Publius Septimius Geta.

Plautianus was Praefectus vigilum (commander of the Vigiles in Rome) from 193 to 197.[1]

Plautianus was appointed prefect of the Praetorian Guard in 197. Due to their friendship, Severus rewarded Plautianus with various honors, including a consular insignia, a seat in the Roman Senate and the Consulship of 203. During his consulship, Plautianus' image was minted on coins along with Severus' second son Publius Septimius Geta.

He assisted Severus in administering the empire and became very wealthy and powerful. Severus made him his second in command. In 202, Plautianus married his daughter Publia Fulvia Plautilla to Caracalla (Severus’ first son and co-emperor) in Rome. Plautianus became so powerful that Caracalla and his mother, Julia Domna, began to be concerned.

The marriage between Caracalla and Publia Fulvia Plautilla was not a happy one. In fact, Caracalla loathed both her and her father, threatening to kill them after becoming sole emperor. When Plautianus discovered this, he plotted to overthrow Severus' family.

When Plautianus' treachery was discovered, the imperial family summoned him to the palace and ordered his death on 22 January 205. After his death, Plautianus’ property was confiscated, his name was erased from public monuments, and his son of the same name, daughter and granddaughter were exiled to Sicily and then later to Lipari. They were all strangled on Caracalla's orders in early 212.

Family

He married Hortensia and had:

References

  1. ↑ Ostia inscription CIL XIV, 4380

Sources

Political offices
Preceded by
Titus Murrenius Severus,
and Gaius Cassius Regallianus
as Suffect consuls		 Consul of the Roman Empire
203
with Publius Septimius Geta		 Succeeded by
Lucius Fabius Cilo,
and Marcus Annius Flavius Libo
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