Pallas (freedman)

Marcus Antonius Pallas († 62 AD) was a slave of Antonia, the mother of the future emperor Claudius, from which he was released in 31 AD.

Involved during the reign of Claudius Pallas enjoyed the special confidence of the Emperor, who received him into his circle of advisors and him, among other things as administrator of the imperial finances (lat. a rationibus ) in government affairs.

In 48 Pallas had next to Narcissus instrumental in the defeat of the coup, the emperor 's wife Messalina. After their execution, he helped Agrippina the Younger, with whom he had a secret relationship, to be the new wife of Claudius and to let her son Nero proclaimed heir to the throne.

He received 52 AD by the Senate, the ornamenta praetoria, the official insignia of a praetor, which represented a particularly high honor for a freedman.

When, after the accession of Nero ( AD 54 ) became his allies Agrippina gradually deprived of Afranius Burrus and Seneca to their influence, even Pallas lost his influential position and 55 AD was finally dismissed by the emperor of his offices. In the year 62 AD Nero had him killed to tear his extraordinarily large fortune in itself.

His tomb was located on the Via Tiburtina before the first milestone. Pliny the Younger mentions something gleefully the grave inscription: Huic senatus whether fidem pietatemque erga Patronos ornamenta praetoria decrevit et sestertium centies quinquagies, cuius honore CONTENTUS fuit. ( " To him, the Senate has awarded the insignia of a praetor and five million sesterces for his loyalty and devotion to his patrons, where he was pleased with the honor." )