Graham, Alexander: Roman Africa: an outline of the history of the Roman occupation of North Africa ; based chiefly upon inscriptions and monumental remains in that country (London [u.a.], 1902)

Africa under Trajan

61

of corruption and bribery. An outcry against the exactions of
a provincial governor reached its climax during his reign, when
the Emperor was petitioned by his African subjects to bring to
trial Marius Priscus, the proconsul of Africa, and his lieutenant
Hostilius Firmanus, on the ground of their cruel and extortion-
ate demands. Both Pliny and Tacitus held briefs for the
unfortunate provincials, and the hearing of the case, which
lasted three days before the Senate in Rome, was under the
presidency of the Emperor Trajan himself, as Consul. From
Pliny we learn that his speech for the plaintiffs occupied five
hours, and from the graphic description of the trial in two of
his letters we may assume that he acted as his own special
reporter. Anyhow, the petitioners won their case. M. Priscus
was mulcted in a heavy fine and was banished ; and H.
Firmanus was declared incapable of serving as a proconsul.
To wind up the whole matter, Pliny tells us with pardonable
pride that both he and Tacitus received the congratulations of
the Senate for their successful impeachment of two such
distinguished officers. The trial was remarkable on account of
the high position of M. Priscus, who had been Consul, and was
a person of great distinction. Similar proceedings, we are
told, were taken against Julius Barrus, governor of Bithynia,
and Rufus Varenus.1

Such praiseworthy endeavours to administer justice to all
classes in every part of the Empire are fully corroborated in
the correspondence between Trajan and his friend the pro-
consul of Bithynia. When Pliny petitioned the Emperor to
sanction the introduction of Roman methods of local govern-
ment to displace the irregular systems in operation in various
parts of the province, Trajan replied that it seemed best, and
was even the safest way, to leave each city to exercise its own
peculiar laws. On another occasion when Pliny complained to
the Emperor of the ruinous condition of the bath at Prusa
(Broussa), and asked his approval of its being rebuilt, ' Yes,'
said Trajan, ' provided no new tax be levied for this purpose,
nor any of those taken off which are appropriated to necessary
services.' Only once did the Emperor appear to show any
signs of irritation with his exacting correspondent. ' The
theatre and gymnasium in course of construction at Nicaea,'

1 Pliny. These names appear in several letters.