Thread by @OptimoPrincipi

1) The enormous tomb monument of the procurator of Britannia, Gaius Julius Alpinus Classicianus. As procurator from 61 to 65 AD, Classicianus was responsible for the financial administration of the whole province, you could think of him as the Roman Chancellor of the Exchequer!..

2) Classicianus took office in 61 in the aftermath of the Boudican revolt. Alongside the new provincial governor Publius Petronius Turpilianus, he would have had quite a job rebuilding the finances of the shattered province; clearly he was a trusted figure in Nero's government..

3) Like most Roman statesmen the fate of Classicianus was unknown - until in 1852 when sections of his tomb were found built into London's 3rd century Roman wall on Tower Hill. This revealed that he had died while in office and though not British, had been buried in Londonium..

4) While the key part of the inscription naming Classicianus was taken straight to the British Museum, "others were carried off to be used as building materials". Fortunately other sections were discovered reused in the walls in 1885 and 1935 allowing a fuller reconstruction..

5) The imposing altar-shaped tomb monument was evidently built for Classicianus along the road near Londinium's east gate (Aldgate) - dedicated by Classicianus’ wife Julia Pacata, daughter of Indus. Julius Indus is mentioned by Tacitus, putting down a Gaulish revolt in 21 AD!

6) Gaius Julius Alpinus Classicianus - a key figure in the history of Britannia, whose reconstruction of the smouldering province after the rebellion of Boudica likely helped secure its long-term future. His tomb is a remarkable survival and can be enjoyed at the British Museum.