1. Overview
Sextus Attius Suburanus Aemilianus, often known simply as Suburanus, was a distinguished equestrian figure in the Roman Empire who played a crucial role in Trajan's successful consolidation of power. Initially serving as a procurator in Gallia Belgica, Suburanus was appointed Prefect of the Praetorian Guard, the imperial bodyguard, in 98 AD. His swift and effective leadership brought this vital military unit firmly under Trajan's control, thereby ensuring the stability of the nascent imperial administration. For his significant achievements in stabilizing the Guard, Suburanus was later adlected into the Roman senate and held the prestigious position of suffect consul in 101 AD, followed by a second, more prominent, ordinarius consulship in 104 AD. His career exemplifies a commitment to stable and effective governance during a pivotal period of Roman history.
2. Early Life and Official Career
Suburanus's early career trajectory as an equestrian was marked by a series of military and administrative appointments, which prepared him for his later influential roles under the Flavian emperors and Trajan.
2.1. Initial Military and Administrative Roles
Details of Suburanus's early career, known as his cursus honorum, are partially revealed through an inscription found at Baalbek in Roman Syria, a city now located in modern Lebanon. His earliest known office was that of prefectus fabrum, an officer responsible for military engineers and craftsmen. Following this, he served as prefectus of the ala Taurina, a cohort of auxiliary cavalry. The Roman historian Tacitus mentions this unit as being present at Lugudunum (modern Lyon, France) alongside the Legio I Italica in early spring of 69 AD, during the tumultuous Year of Four Emperors. Based on this, and the fact that Suburanus belonged to the Roman tribe "Voltinia," scholar Ronald Syme inferred that Suburanus was "one of the Narbonensian notables who came out on the side of the pretender Sulpicius Galba." This suggests an early alignment with a faction that sought to restore stability after the fall of Nero.
2.2. Provincial Governorships and Procurator-ships
Over the decades following the Year of Four Emperors, Suburanus diligently held a variety of offices in service to the Flavian emperors. He twice served as an adiutor, assisting high-ranking and influential officials. His first assignment as an adiutor was to Lucius Junius Quintus Vibius Crispus, whom he aided in conducting a census in Hispania Tarraconensis during Crispus's governorship from 74 to 79 AD. His second such role was under Lucius Julius Ursus, who initially held the position of praefectus annonae (prefect of the grain supply) before becoming Prefect of Egypt. Subsequent to these assistantships, Suburanus held the post of prefectus ad Mercurium. He then transitioned to governing several minor provinces, including Alpes Cottiae, and regions associated with figures like Pedatius Tyrius, Gammuntius, and Lepontius.
His career further advanced with appointments as procurator, first in Judea, and notably, a second time in Gallia Belgica in 97 AD. This second procuratorship in Gallia Belgica occurred at a critical juncture, precisely when Trajan was designated as Nerva's heir. The office in Gallia Belgica was of paramount importance, as the procurator was responsible for managing the finances of the legions stationed on the Rhine frontier. This frontier represented one of the largest concentrations of Roman soldiers in the entire Empire. Through his effective management and demonstrated loyalty in this key role, Suburanus garnered Trajan's trust, which ultimately led to his pivotal appointment as commander of the Praetorian Guard.
3. Praetorian Prefectship under Trajan
Suburanus's appointment as Praetorian Prefect in 98 AD marked a turning point in his career and was a crucial factor in the stabilization of Trajan's imperial authority.
3.1. Appointment and Political Context
Suburanus's promotion to commander of the Praetorian Guard was a direct result of the loyalty he had demonstrated to Trajan. This appointment came at a time of significant political unrest following the death of Emperor Nerva. Suburanus's predecessor, Casperius Aelianus, had been directly responsible for instigating a mutiny against Nerva, which had severely destabilized the imperial court. After Nerva's death, Trajan, seeking to assert his authority and punish disloyalty, summoned Casperius Aelianus and other conspirators to his headquarters in Colonia Agrippina (modern Cologne). Under false pretenses, Trajan had these mutineers "put out of the way," as recounted by Cassius Dio. Historian John D. Grainger suggests that the summary execution of Casperius left the remaining members of the Praetorian Guard feeling "surely very resentful at the execution of their officers and colleagues and at the deceitful way it had been accomplished."
3.2. Stabilization of the Praetorian Guard
Amidst this atmosphere of resentment and potential instability within the imperial guard, Suburanus was entrusted with the formidable task of bringing the Praetorian Guard under Trajan's firm control. His mission involved rebuilding the soldiers' trust in Trajan and systematically identifying and removing any elements within the Guard who could not be trusted. This required both strong leadership and diplomatic skill to quell lingering discontent and ensure loyalty. While Suburanus undertook this delicate and critical work, Trajan wisely remained on the Rhine frontier, allowing his newly appointed prefect the necessary space and authority to complete the arduous task of pacifying and reorganizing the Praetorian Guard. Suburanus's successful completion of this mission was instrumental in solidifying the foundations of Trajan's reign.
3.3. Trajan's Trust: The Sword Utterance
A testament to the profound trust that Emperor Trajan placed in Suburanus, and a powerful symbol of the prefect's accountability, is a widely recounted anecdote. Upon handing Suburanus the sword that the commander of the Praetorian Guard was expected to wear at all times, Trajan first drew the blade from its scabbard. Presenting it to Suburanus, he famously declared, "If I rule well, use this sword for me. If I rule badly, use it against me." This utterance underscores Trajan's confidence in Suburanus's loyalty and judgment, recognizing the prefect's ultimate responsibility to uphold effective governance, even if it meant challenging the emperor himself. This moment highlights the core principle of accountability that underpinned Trajan's rule and Suburanus's crucial role in its enforcement.
4. Later Political Career and Honors
Following his successful and pivotal tenure as Praetorian Prefect, Suburanus's career continued to ascend, marked by significant political advancements and prestigious honors that reflected his enduring influence in Roman society.
4.1. Adlection into the Senate and Consulships
At the conclusion of his command of the Praetorian Guard, Suburanus received the distinct honor of being adlected into the Roman senate, specifically inter praetores, meaning he was granted the rank of a former praetor, despite not having held that magistracy. This was a rare distinction for an equestrian and a clear indication of imperial favor. According to Ronald Syme, it is plausible that by September of 100 AD, when Pliny the Younger delivered his famous oration, Suburanus was already a senator and had been designated for a consulship.
His first consulship was as a suffect consul in 101 AD, where he served as the colleague of Quintus Articuleius Paetus. Demonstrating continued imperial trust and recognition of his contributions, Suburanus received the signal honor of a second consulship, this time as a consul ordinarius (ordinary consul), in 104 AD. He served alongside Marcus Asinius Marcellus in this highly prestigious role, which further cemented his standing within the Roman political elite.
4.2. Priesthood and Later Life
In addition to his political advancements, Suburanus was also admitted to the College of Pontifices, one of the most esteemed religious bodies in Rome. This membership, as noted by Syme, publicly "advertised his rank" and further elevated his status within the Roman hierarchy. His continued presence and influence in Roman society are attested by Pliny the Younger, who alludes to Suburanus twice in his letters, confirming that Suburanus was still alive as late as 107 AD. While the exact date of his death is not recorded, these references indicate his enduring significance and active participation in the social and political life of the Roman Empire well into Trajan's reign.