Cleanders Stellung am Hof des Commodus. Zur Deutung des Titels a pugione

Abstract

The a pugione is only mentioned twice: in the Historia Augusta and in an inscription from Rome (CIL 06, 41118), both related to Cleander. The pugio resp. the ξίφος of the emperor had been understood as symbol of the authority of the emperor, considered as his power to decide life and death. Probably to hand over the pugio would also mean to delegate the authority coming with it. Based on this theory perhaps Cleander was praefectus praetorio or an imperial magistrate with special competence to distribute military leaderships.