Gaius Fulvius Plautianus

Gaius or Lucius Fulvius Plautianus (c. 150 – 22 January 205) was a member of the Roman gens Fulvia. Like Sejanus, Perennis and Cleande, as head of the Praetorian Guard, he was formally extraordinary powerful and influential in the administration of state affairs, and was involved with Julia Domna, the powerful wife of Septimius Severus, who played a prominent public and political role, in influencing the emperor's decisions.

Gaius Fulvius Plautianus
Plautianus
Born	Leptis Magna, Africa Province
Died	205 Rome
Allegiance	Roman Empire
Years of service	197–205
Rank	Praetorian prefect
Unit	Praetorian Guard
Other work	Consul of the Roman Empire in 203

Plautianus was originally from Leptis Magna, southeast of Carthage (modern Libya, North Africa). He was a maternal cousin and long-time friend of the Emperor Septimius Severus. Plautianus' father was another Gaius Fulvius Plautianus, born c. 130, whose sister, Fulvia Pia (c. 125 - after 198), was married to Severus' father Publius Septimius Geta.[1]

Plautianus was Praefectus vigilum (commander of the Vigiles in Rome) from 193 to 197.[2]

Plautianus was appointed prefect of the Praetorian Guard in 197.[3] Due to their friendship, Severus rewarded Plautianus with various honors, including a consular insignia, a seat in the Roman Senate and the Consulship of 203. During his consulship, Plautianus' image was minted on coins along with Severus' second son Publius Septimius Geta.

He assisted Severus in administering the empire and became very wealthy and powerful. Severus made him his second in command. He fought hard with Julia Domna the wife of Emperor to run the government, she too helped her husband run the empire (but was behind the scenes because of her gender). In 202, Plautianus married his daughter Publia Fulvia Plautilla to Caracalla (Severus’ first son and co-emperor) in Rome.[4] Plautianus began to conduct himself like a ruthless ruler, having those who opposed him assassinated or executed at will. Plautianus became so powerful that Caracalla and his effective mother, Julia Domna, began to be concerned. Aware of her reservations, Plautianus sought to disrepute honor and power Julia. He had her servants and friends arrested and tortured in hopes of extracting some damaging testimony against her, however in doing so he achieved nothing.[5]

The marriage between Caracalla and Publia Fulvia Plautilla was not a happy one. In fact, Caracalla loathed both her and her father, threatening to kill them after becoming sole emperor.[6] When Plautianus discovered this, he plotted to overthrow Severus' family.[7][8]

This deeply troubled the emperor's wife Julia Domna, who plotted Plautianus's downfall. When Plautianus' treachery was discovered, the imperial family summoned him to the palace and ordered his death on 22 January 205. After this point onwards Julia Domna now became only the chief political advisor to her husband the emperor and as Augusta of the empire, she was the only influential person in the government to help Severus run the empire. After his death, at the request of Julia Domna, Plautianus’ property was confiscated, his name was erased from public monuments, and his son of the same name, daughter and granddaughter were exiled to Sicily. They were all strangled on Caracalla's orders in early 212.[8]