ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Quintus Caelius Honoratus: A Roman Senator in Cyprus

Quintus Caelius Honoratus was a prominent Roman senator who flourished during the reign of Emperor Trajan. As suffect consul from July to August 105 AD, he served alongside Gaius Julius Quadratus Bassus and replaced Gnaeus Afranius Dexter, whose assassination by his slaves led to Honoratus' appointment.

Honoratus is known primarily through inscriptions found in Cyprus, particularly at the site of Kourion. One such inscription provides insight into the first part of his cursus honorum, revealing that he served as legatus to two different proconsular governors: those of Sicilia and Bithynia and Pontus. Although it does not mention his election as pretor in 97 AD, which was a prerequisite for another office mentioned – prefectus frumenti dandi, the chief distributor of Rome's free grain dole – Honoratus' completion of this post is confirmed.

Following his tenure as pretor, Honoratus received governorship over Roman Cyprus. This appointment is dated to either 101/102 AD by an inscription from Kourion or possibly earlier, based on incomplete information provided in the text. Furthermore, a third inscription from Kourion records that he oversaw the reconstruction of the baths at the Sanctuary of Apollo in the city.

Honoratus' life after his consulship remains largely unrecorded, leaving behind only these inscriptions as testament to his achievements during his time in office.