Did C. Caecina Tuscus Become a Praetorian Prefect?

Abstract

This study is aimed at answering the title question of whether C. Caecina Tuscus became a praetorian prefect, or was at least considered as a candidate for this office. Doubts are raised due to the report by Tacitus (Ann. XIV 19 f.) regarding the plot against Nero in AD 55. Tacitus mentions that according to Fabius Rusticus (the author of a historical work used by Tacitus), the prefect of the Praetorian Guard, Sex. Afranius Burrus, was also among those suspected of being involved in the plot. As a result, Caecina Tuscus was appointed as his successor and had it not been for the intervention of Seneca, Burrus would have been dismissed. Tacitus questions this side of the story and eventually declares himself in favour of the views put forward by Cluvius Rufus and Pliny the Elder, who claimed that the fidelity of Burrus had never been doubted. Nevertheless, a structural analysis of Tacitus’ passage, knowledge about the sources he used, as well as certain details in his narrative, incline us to suppose that the information provided by Fabius Rusticus is highly likely to be true.