- Publius Acilius Attianus
Infobox Military Person
name= Publius Acilius Attianus
lived= ??–??
placeofbirth= Unknown
placeofdeath= Unknown
caption=
allegiance=Roman Empire
serviceyears= ??–119
rank=Praetorian prefect
unit=
commands=Praetorian Guard
battles=
relations=
laterwork=Publius Acilius Attianus (1st – 2nd century AD) was a powerful Roman official who played a significant though obscure role in the transfer of the imperial power from
Trajan toHadrian . He was born inItalica ,Hispania Baetica , which was also the birthplace ofPublius Aelius Hadrianus Afer , the emperor Hadrian’s father. When Afer died about 86, Attianus and the future Emperor Trajan (another native of Italica) became the ten-year-old Hadrian’s guardians. Otherwise nothing is known of Attianus’s early career, but towards the end of Trajan’s reign he was jointPraetorian Prefect withServius Sulpicius Similis for colleague. While Similis remained at Rome, Attianus accompanied the Emperor on campaign in the East. Attianus was present at Trajan’s deathbed atSelinus inCilicia in August 117 and helped the EmpressPlotina secure the succession of Hadrian, either by pleading his case or, as was also alleged, helping to forge Trajan’s will. Along with Plotina and Matidia, Attianus accompanied Trajan’s body toSeleucia and his ashes to Rome. He counselled Hadrian on his accession against various possible opponents, and according to Hadrian’s lost autobiography it was Attianus who was responsible for the murder of the ‘four consulars’ whose deaths were an early stain on his reign. Hadrian resented Attianus’s power and in 119 induced him to request to be relieved of the post of Praetorian Prefect. He was given senatorial rank and the "ornamenta consularia " on his retirement; nothing more is heard of him.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.