Junius Blaesus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Quintus Junius Blaesus (? – 31 AD) was a Roman proconsul who governed the Africa Province from 21 to 23. He was the uncle of Lucius Aelius Sejanus, Prefect of the Praetorian Guard and the chief advisor of Emperor Tiberius. It was through his influence that Blaesus was appointed governor of Africa.[1]

[edit] Career

According to the Roman historian Cassius Dio, Blaesus was a commander of the armies stationed in Pannonia when a mutiny broke out in 15 AD. The soldiers arrested and tortured his slaves, and then attempted to kill Blaesus. However he managed to temporarily restore order by convincing them to send envoys to the Roman Senate instead.[2] In response Tiberius sent his son Drusus to put down the rebellion, accompanied by Sejanus and two Praetorian cohorts.

During his time as governor in Africa, Blaesus was successful in defeating a revolt by the Numidian warlord Tacfarinas, a victory for which he earned triumphal honors.[3]

When the attempt by Sejanus to depose Tiberius in 31 failed, Blaesus was put on trial as one of his associates. Rather than awaiting a certain execution, he chose to commit suicide instead.[4]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Tacitus, Annals III.35
  2. ^ Cassius Dio, Roman History LVII.4
  3. ^ Tacitus, Annals III.72, III.73
  4. ^ Tacitus, Annals V.7

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Marcus Papius Mutilus with Quintus Poppaeus Secundus		 Suffect consul of the Roman Empire with Servius Cornelius Lentulus Maluginensis
10		 Succeeded by
Lucius Cassius Longinus
Preceded by
Lucius Apronius		 Governor of Africa
21 – 23		 Succeeded by
Publius Cornelius Dolabella