Fuscus, Corne'lius
one of the most active adherents of Vespasian in his contest with Vitellius for the empire A. D. 69.
In decision, zeal, and popularity with the soldiers, Tacitus ranks Fuscus second to Antonius Primus alone. [PRIMUS, ANTONIUS.] During Nero's reign, Fuscus lived in retirement on an estate inherited from noble ancestors; but he served under Galba, and was made by him procurator of Pannonia.
In the war with Vitellius, the fleet at Ravenna elected Fuscus their leader, and under his command moved along the eastern coast of Italy, in concert with the troops of Vespasian. For his services at this time Vespasian rewarded Fuscus with the insignia and rank of practor. Under Domitian Fuscus was captain of the body-guard, and gave himself up to the luxurious profusion of the time. Juvenal describes him (4.112) as dreaming of battles in his marble house--
"Fuscus marmorea meditatus proelia villa."
Domitian, however, converted his dreams into reality, by sending him against the Dacians, who, under their king Decebalus, had recently defeated a Roman army, and were ravaging the province of Moesia. Fuscus passed the Danube, but suffered himself to be surprised by the Dacians, who destroyed his army, and captured his baggage and standards. Martial wrote an epitaph on Fuscus (
Ep. 6.76), in which he refers to the Dacian campaign. (
Tac. Hist. 2.86,
3.4,
12,
42,
66,
4.44; Suet.
Domit. 6;
D. C. 68.9 ;
Oros. 7.10; Tillemont,
Hist. des Empereurs, vol. iii. p. 172; Francke,
Gesch. Trajan's, p. 80.) Pliny (
Plin. Ep. 7.9) addressed a letter to Cornelius Fuscus, recommending translation as one of the best methods of attaining a pure, impressive, and copious style.
But as his correspondent was preparing himself for the business of the forum, he can scarcely have been the Fuscus of Vespasian's time.
He was probably the son.
[
W.B.D]
