Pomponius Mamilianus facts for kids

Pomponius Mamilianus was an important Roman senator who served the emperor in many different jobs. He became a consul (a top official) for a short time in May and June of the year 100 AD. He worked alongside another consul named Lucius Herennius Saturninus. We know about him from old writings and stone carvings. He was also friends with a famous writer named Pliny the Younger, and they wrote letters to each other.

His full name was Pomponius T.f. Gal. Mamilianus Rufus Antistianus Funisulanus Vettonianus. This long name was found on an ancient stone carving in a place called Deva (which is now Chester in England). Roman names could be very long and often showed family connections. For example, the "Funisulanus Vettonianus" part of his name suggests he was related to another important Roman general named Lucius Funisulanus Vettonianus. Historians believe this connection might have come from his father or grandfather marrying someone from that family.

Pomponius Mamilianus's Career

Pomponius Mamilianus had a career path, or cursus honorum, that we don't know all the details about. However, we do know some interesting parts!

Commander of a Roman Legion

One important job he had was leading a Roman army group called a legion. He was the commander of the Legio XX Valeria Victrix, which was stationed at the Roman fort in Deva. This was a big responsibility! A historian named Anthony Birley thinks that Pomponius Mamilianus was in his early thirties when he led this legion, probably around the early 90s AD. This important job was likely given to him by the emperor at the time, Domitian.

Letters from Pliny the Younger

We know more about Pomponius Mamilianus because two letters that Pliny the Younger wrote to him still exist today. These letters were probably written around 107 or 108 AD.

What the Letters Tell Us

• One letter shows that Pliny was busy with his grape harvest and mentions that Mamilianus loved to hunt. This gives us a little peek into his hobbies!
• The other letter suggests that Mamilianus was living a "military life." This might mean he was governing a Roman province that had a lot of soldiers, which would have been another important job given to him by the emperor.

Family Connections

It is believed that Pomponius Mamilianus had a son named Titus Pomponius Antistianus Funisulanus Vettonianus. His son also became a consul in the year 121 AD, following in his father's footsteps.