Decessor. Predecessor. It was Roscius Coelius. His. 1, 60.
Legatis—consularibus. Governors or Proconsuls. The provinces were governed by men who had been consuls (consulares), and as legatus meant any commissioned officer, these were distinguished as legati consulares. With reference to this consular authority, the same were called proconsules. Cf. note, H. 1, 49. Trebellius Maximus and Vettius Bolanus are here intended. Cf. 16. and His. 1, 60. 2, 65. Nimia==justo potentior. Dr.
Legatus praetorius==legatus legionis, commander of the legion. Cf. note, His. 1, 7. Here the same person as decessor.
Invenisse quam fecisse, etc., involves a maxim of policy worth noting.
VIII. Placidius. With less energy. See more of Bolanus at close of 16.
Dignum est. A general remark, applicable to any such province. Hence the present, for which some would substitute erat or esset.
Ne incresceret, sc. ipse: lest he should become too great, i.e. rise above his superior and so excite his jealousy. Referred by W. to ardorem for its subject. But then ne incresceret would be superfluous.
Consularem, sc. Legatum==Governor, cf. 7, note.
Petilius Cerialis. Cf. 17. Ann. 14, 32. His. 4, 68.
Habuerunt—exemplorum. Had room for exertion and so for setting a good example, cf. Ann. 13, 8: videbaturque locus virtutibus patefactus. The position of habuerunt is emphatic, as if he had said: then had virtues, etc. See Rit. in loc.