Lucius Munatius Felix was a Roman eques who held a number of appointments during the reign of the Emperor Antonius Pius, most notably praefectus or governor of Roman Egypt (149-154). [1]
Eric Birley suggests that Felix had his origins in Africa. [2] It is unknown how he is related to other Munatii. About his career, although it can be assumed Felix passed through the tres militiae , the only office attested for him is his tenure as governor of Egypt, an important post because Egypt provided a large share of the grain needed to feed Rome.
The duties of the praefectus extended beyond ensuring that this was furnished so the inhabitants of the city were fed. He command of the troops stationed there: during years Felix was responsible for the province, two legions were based there, Legio III Cyrenaica and Legio XXII Deiotariana. He also managed the financial and judicial affairs of the province. Records of his decisions have survived. One is a record of a hearing, dated 17 April 150, where the petition of two men -- Glycon son of Dionysius, and Apollonius son of Glycon -- requesting that since Glycon was without means he be allowed to abandon his property; Felix responded by ordering an investigation to determine whether Glycon intended to do this to defraud his creditors, and if so, the resignation will not be valid. [3]
Another is an incident recorded by Justin Martyr in his First Apology . Justin records that "one of our number" petitioned Felix to allow a surgeon to make him a eunuch, for surgeons in Egypt "were forbidden to do this without the permission of the governor". Justin explains that the Christian desired this in order to avoid all sexual promiscuity. Despite the motivation, Felix refused to approve this petition. Nevertheless, the man remained single and "was satisfied with his own approving conscience, and the approval of those who thought as he did." [4] This mention of Felix not only allows us to fix a terminus a quo for the publication of his work, it is possibly the earliest datable mention of a Christian community in Egypt.
Egypt was established as a Roman province in 30 BC after Octavian defeated his rival Mark Antony, deposed Pharaoh Cleopatra, and annexed the Ptolemaic Kingdom to the Roman Empire. The province encompassed most of modern-day Egypt except for the Sinai Peninsula, which would later be conquered by Trajan. Aegyptus was bordered by the provinces of Crete and Cyrenaica to the west and Judea to the East.
Gaius Avidius Cassius was a Roman general and usurper. He was born in Cyrrhus, and was the son of Gaius Avidius Heliodorus, who served as praefectus or governor of Roman Egypt, and Julia Cassia Alexandra, who was related to a number of royal figures, including her descent from both Augustus and Herod the Great. He began his military career under Antoninus Pius, rising to the status of legatus legionis. He served during the Parthian war of Lucius Verus, in which he distinguished himself, for which he was elevated to the Senate, and later made Imperial legate. During the Bucolic War, he was given the extraordinary title of Rector Orientis, giving him Imperium over all of the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire.
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Marcus Statius Priscus Licinius Italicus was a Roman senator and general active during the reigns of Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. Contemporary sources refer to him as Marcus Statius Priscus or simply Statius Priscus. He was consul for the year 159 as the colleague of Plautius Quintillus; Priscus was one of only two homines novi to attain the ordinary consul in the reigns of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius.
Marcus Petronius Mamertinus, possibly known as Sextus Petronius Mamertinus, was a Roman senator originally of the Equestrian order. He served as suffect consul in 150 as the colleague of Marcus Cassius Apollinaris.
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Titus Furius Victorinus was a Roman eques who held a number of appointments during the reigns of the Emperors Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. The most prominent of these offices were praefectus vigilum, praefectus or governor of Roman Egypt, and praetorian prefect.
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Preceded by Marcus Petronius Honoratus | Prefectus of Aegyptus 150-154 | Succeeded by Marcus Sempronius Liberalis |