Lucius Septimius Petronianus and Tiberius Claudius Proculus Cornelianus: Two protégés of Gnaeus Iulius Verus

Abstract

This article discusses the careers of Lucius Septimius Petronianus and Tiberius Claudius Proculus Cornelianus, who successively held the post of procurator of the mining districts situated in the valley of the lower Drina river during the second half of the 2nd century A.D. It aims to point out a connection between both procurators and Gnaeus Iulius Verus, a famous senator and general originating from the Roman colony of Aequum, in Dalmatia and one of Marcus Aurelius’ amici in the early years of the latter’s reign. The presence of the protégés of Gnaeus Iulius Verus in the richest mining region of Illyricum is indicative of two things: the emperor’s willingness to entrust these mines to the protégés of his closest associate at a time when this region was under constant threat from barbarian attacks, and also the possible intention of Gnaeus Iulius Verus to protect his own investment in mining.