Gades and the precedents of the political functions of Republican praefecti praesidii

Roman Republican military culture implies the establishment of military garrisons in the cities. In 1953 G. Tibiletti compared the most likely political functions of the 'eparchos' sent to Messambria in 73-72BC with those the Roman prefect in charge of the Hispanic town of Gades (206-199 BC), whose abuses aroused complaints. The Second Punic War gives us many useful insights for a better understanding of the political functions of those garrison chiefs, particularly taking the Gades study case in mind. Along with Hannibal's extreme pressure on Italy, Rome needed to secure strategically and logistically its positions by the extensive use of garrisons, whose existence is sometimes known only by their commanders' names. Equally, there is enough evidence to show the abuse in power of some prefects, becoming as a whole a bad foretaste in the provincial administration to follow.