Marcus Arrecinus Clemens (consul)

Marcus Arrecinus Clemens (fl. 1st century), was a prefect of the Praetorian Guard during the reign of Vespasian. In return for his faithful service, Clemens was promoted to other important positions, including being twice consul and urban prefect of Rome.

Marcus Arrecinus Clemens
Born	second quarter of the 1st century Unknown
Died	Rome
Allegiance	Roman Empire
Years of service	70 – 71
Rank	Praetorian Prefect
Commands held	Praetorian Guard
Other work	Suffect consul in 73 Governor of Hispania Tarraconensis Suffect consul in 85 Urban Prefect of Rome in 86–87

Arrecinus Clemens was born into an equestrian family from Pisaurum,[1] being the homonymous son of Emperor Gaius' Praetorian Prefect. Clemens' sister was Arrecina Tertulla, the first wife of the future Emperor Titus. Despite being a member of the Senate, he was placed at the head of the Praetorian Guard in 70 by Vespasian's political ally, Gaius Licinius Mucianus, amidst concerns that the current commander, Arrius Varus, was growing too politically influential. Clemens held the position until June of 71, when Vespasian's son Titus replaced him. According to Tacitus, Clemens was chosen because his father, Marcus Arrecinus Clemens, had honourably commanded the Guard during the reign of Emperor Caligula.[2]

Following these events, Clemens held a suffect consulship in 73,[3] governed the province of Hispania Tarraconensis,[4] held a second consulship in 85,[5] and was made city prefect of Rome in 86.

Suetonius relates a harrowing story concerning Clemens' end. The emperor Domitian invited Clemens to accompany him on a drive; as they passed a person both recognized, Domitian turned to Clemens and asked, "Shall we listen to that rascally fellow tomorrow?" The next day the "rascally fellow" was revealed to be a delator or informer who had brought charges on Clemens; the former Urban Prefect was found guilty and executed.[6] However, Gavin Townend notes an inscription from Rudiae, in the extreme heel of Italy, on which one M. Arrecinus Clemens is commemorated by his wife Cornelia Ocel[lina],[7] suggesting that Suetonius was in error and that Clemens was instead banished and died in exile.[8]

References

1. AE 1947, 90. The inscription reveals his enrollment in the tribe Camilia, which encompasses Pisaurum. He or his father also held property in nearby Ariminum (CIL XI, 428)
2. Tacitus, Historiae, iv.68
3. Paul Gallivan, "The Fasti for A. D. 70-96", Classical Quarterly, 31 (1981), pp. 188, 214
4. Werner Eck, "Jahres- und Provinzialfasten der senatorischen Statthalter von 69/70 bis 138/139", Chiron, 13 (1983), pp. 196f
5. Gallivan, "Fasti for A. D. 70-96", pp. 190, 216
6. Suetonius, Domitian, 11.2
7. Eph. Ep. 8-1.79
8. Townend, "Some Flavian Connections", Journal of Roman Studies, 51 (1961), p. 57 n.9

Further reading

• Prosopographia Imperii Romani (2nd ed.). A 1072.CS1 maint: location (link)
• George W. Houston, "Vespasian's Adlection of Men in Senatum", American Journal of Philology, 98 (1977), pp. 35-63
• Brian W. Jones and R. Develin, "M. Arrecinus Clemens", Antichthon, 10 (1976), pp. 79-83.