he solution to Tacfarinas’ revolt raises several fascinating points to consider for wider imperial history. Africa was a non-military province to deal with the unprecedented military threat. In AD 21, Tiberius advised the senate to choose a proconsul who was “an experienced commander and physically fit for active service” (Tacitus 3.32). There were several candidates but the man chosen was Quintus Junius Blaesus who had been consul in AD 10 (he was also the uncle of Praetorian Prefect Sejanus). Blaesus had served in Pannonia and during the Great Illyrian Revolt, AD 6-9 and as the governor of Sicily during Augustus’ reign. The military pedigree and time elapsed since his consulship also set something of a precedent for appointing military men extra to deal with crises, especially in non-military provinces. Faced with a False Nero in Asia, Domitian appointed the experienced commanders Sextus Julius Frontinus as governor of Asia in AD 86/87 as well as his successor, C. Vettulenus Civica Cerialis in 87/88 to deal with the problem. Both men had also been consul some twelve years earlier – just like Blaesus.
