Gaius Julius Priscus

Gaius Julius Priscus († 249) was a Roman praetorian prefect in the reign of Emperor Gordian III. and Philip the Arab.

Priscus was born in the Roman province of Arabia, in what is now southern Syria, the son of a Julius Marinus, who may have been a nomad leader. His mother's name is unknown, but it is known that he was the brother of Marcus Julius Philippus, later Emperor Philip the Arab.

Priscus began his career already under Gordian III. as praetorian prefect. It is unclear whether Priscus already exercised the office as a colleague of Timesitheus, that is, before his brother was praetorian prefect. He was probably responsible for this function in order to ensure the care and safety in the hinterland during Gordian Persian campaign. In this position, he was the coup against his brother Gordian III. actively support.

Even under Philip was praetorian prefect Priscus. In the year 245 he was Prefect of the province of Mesopotamia and Syria Coele legacy of. It is unclear whether he took the Prätorianerpräfektur at this time or whether he held simultaneously with the governorships. Perhaps the title of rector Orientis suppressed ( 247-249 ), this superior position to the east of the kingdom, which can be seen from the second passage of Zosimus. Whether he still managed more provinces in the East next to Mesopotamia and Syria Coele, has not been established, but quite possible, as the governor lists for these years have large gaps. Due to the high tax pressure, the Priscus exercised, he made himself unpopular among the population, which then rose up against Priscus.

The sources are silent about Priscus ' end. But he should have with Philip found 249 death because he had played an important role under his brother and the resistance to Philip partly of dissatisfaction with Priscus ' sprang tax policy. Priscus had a wife named Tryphoniana and a son who died young.

Iulius Priscus is not identical with the usurper Priscus under the Emperor Decius.