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)

2IO

Roman Africa

encamped in any part of the wide-spread Empire, a successful
general with daring equal to the occasion, and with a promise
of large donatives to the soldiers, might claim the right of
succession without consulting the wishes of the Senate. Such
a man, distinguished for his prowess in many a field of battle,
was Marcus Opilius Severus Macrinus (as he is commonly
called), a native of Julia C&sarea, the old capital of Juba II.
This ambitious soldier was a Moor by birth as well as in habit,
for, in common with the fashion of his race, he had an ear
pierced to mark his nationality. He had risen from obscurity
till he had attained the high distinction of prefect of the
Praetorian guard. His short rule of only two months and three
days is marked in North Africa by several inscriptions, showing
that his son Diadumenianus shared with him the title of
Caesar. Like their predecessors, Pertinax and Julianus, these
two African Emperors paid the penalty of purchasing imperial
power at the hands of a grasping and corrupt army. Accord-
ing to Justinus, both father and son were disposed of, as soon as
it was discovered that Macrinus endeavoured to reduce their
pay and attempted to suppress the luxurious habits which
prevailed in the Praetorian camp. The following dedication by
the citizens of Diana is recorded on a ruined triumphal arch,
and was first deciphered by Peysonnel. It is also noted by
Shaw, as well as by Renier and Wilmanns.1

IMP • CAES • M • OPELLIO • SEVERO ■ MACRINO ■ PIO ■

FELICI • AVG • PONT • MAX ■ TRIB ■ POTEST
COS • DESIG • P • P • PROCOS • PROVIDENTISSIMO •

ET • SANCTISSIMO ■ PRINCIPI
ET • M • OPELLIO ■ ANTONINO ■ DIADVMENIANO ■

NOBILISSIMO • CAESARI
PRINCIPI • IVVENTVTIS • RESPVBLICA ■ DIANEN-

SIVM • DEC • EX • DEC ■

The epithet providentissimus is unusual, and combined with
sanctissimus is difficult to comprehend. It is fair to assume
that this monumental arch was erected by the citizens of Diana
at the commencement of the Emperor's reign, which waS
marked at first by toleration, and by the abolition of several
taxes that had been imposed by Septimius Severus and his
successor. But such epithets were wholly inapplicable to the

1 I.R.A. No. 1731. Renier, Melanges a"Epigrapfue, p. 198.