Marcus Martiannius Pulcher facts for kids
Marcus Martiannius Pulcher was an important Roman leader, known as a governor, in Roman Britain. He likely served in a part of Britain called Britannia Superior during the 200s AD.
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Who Was Marcus Martiannius Pulcher?
Marcus Martiannius Pulcher was a Roman governor. A governor was like a modern-day leader or manager of a large area. They were chosen by the Roman Emperor to make sure things ran smoothly in a province. His job was to keep order, collect taxes, and make sure Roman laws were followed in Britain.
A Clue from an Ancient Stone
We know about Marcus Martiannius Pulcher because of a special stone. This stone has writing carved into it, called an inscription. It was found in 1975 in London. The stone had been reused to build defenses along the river in the 300s AD.
The inscription tells us something important about Pulcher's work. It says he fixed a temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. This temple had become old and fallen apart. Fixing such an important building suggests that his time as governor was peaceful. He had time to focus on repairs rather than fighting.
When Did He Live?
Historians use clues to figure out when Marcus Martiannius Pulcher was governor. The style of the writing on the stone, especially the titles used, helps them. These titles suggest that there were two emperors ruling at the same time. This helps narrow down the possible dates for his time in Britain. It is believed he was governor sometime in the 3rd century AD.
Where Was He From?
Historians also look at names for clues about where people came from. Marcus Martiannius Pulcher's middle name, Martiannius, was quite unusual. This type of name was popular in areas of the Roman Empire with Celtic people. This suggests he might have come from places like northern Italy, Gaul (modern-day France), or the Rhineland (parts of modern-day Germany). It's even possible he was from Britain itself!
