Julius Laetus | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Latin:Julius Laetus |
| Died | 198 |
| Allegiance | Roman Empire |
| Branch | Roman Imperial Army |
| Rank | Comes? |
| Conflicts | |
Julius Laetus (fl. 193–198) was aRoman soldier. He fought for EmperorSeptimius Severus, who eventually had him killed because he had become too popular amongst the troops.[1] He possibly held the rank ofcomes.
Julius Laetus' early life is unknown. He started military service in 193, when he commanded theSeveran vanguard during the descent ofSeptimius Severus into Italy, to defeat his opponentDidius Julianus. Julianus had Severus acclaimed co-emperor and sentTullius Crispinus to announce the event, but Laetus intercepted Crispinus and suggested to Severus that he should be put to death, which he did.[2][3] The young general was then appointed Governor ofUpper Pannonia.[4]
He served inMesopotamia in 195, as commander of one of the three expeditionary forces that, on two successive occasions, devastated the territories of the rebellious populations, these probably included theOsroeni andAdiabeni, fomented by theParthian rulerVologases V, and conquered their cities.[5][6]
In theBattle of Lugdunum in 197, he commanded the Severan cavalry and inflicted the decisive blow on the troops ofClodius Albinus.[7] In the same year he was sent to Mesopotamia on the occasion of the Parthian invasion.[6][8] Here he rushed to the aid of the city ofNisibis, which was being besieged by the Parthians, and defended it until the arrival of Severus' troops.[9]
The emperor entrusted him with the rank ofcomes, but without giving any command. In 198, on the occasion of theSiege of Hatra, he had him put to death because he feared his popularity among the troops. It is said that the soldiers were not willing to be led into battle by anyone other than Laetus. The story that he had initially retained his cavalry atLugdunum because he intended to take the throne for himself was in all probability invented after hisexecution.[1]