المستخلص: |
The equestrian rank accorded its holder not only with a considerable social prestige but it also various opportunities of service in both civil and military posts and promotion to higher posts including the position of prefecture of Egypt (praefectus Agyptii). These opportunities were at the reach of nearly all equestrians. However, there was a remarkable concentration of the most important equestrian posts in the hands of Africans during the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161 C.E). Hence, the aim of this paper is to investigate the origins of two Africans who were prefects of Egypt, namely Sempronius Liberalis from Acholla in Africa proconsularis, and Ti Caludius Subatianus Aquila from Cuicul in Numidia. The epigraphic texts yielded by this paper provide not only valuable information about them but also a basis for a quantum leap in our knowledge of the origins of these two important prefects.
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