Malichus of Bostra

Malichus of Bostra was a Nabataean fisherman in the first century AD. He was the third Publicola of the Order of Rome. He was viewed as quintessential to the early workings and actions of the Order and set precedents followed to this very day. Other names for Malichus include Malichus Bostrae in Latin and Malichus Bostrae Publicola as his title.

Malichus instituted reforms and initiatives to both secure the inner circle of the Order as well as greatly expand the scope of influence, setting the goal for all of the Roman Empire. Malichus, like Publicola the Elder, made a great many journeys to the reaches of the empire, travelling to Greece, Pannonia, Raeta et Noricum, and even reaching Gaul on his final journey. He set his sights north, unlike his predecessors, believing that to be the weakest region of the empire.

Malichus' goals were set very high. While he did not achieve many of them, he did greatly expand the Order's network into Asia Minor, Greece, and southern Pannonia. He even had some personal contacts in northern Italia and parts of Cisalpine Gaul. Malichus eventually settled in Corinth, where he worked to spread the Christian message from a strategic perspective, while refusing to convert, remaining an Arab polytheist. In Corinth, he continued to fish and sell in markets throughout Greece.

While in Corinth, he developed a close mentor-student relationship with a man named Titus Flavius. After some time, he began to transfer control of the Order to Titus. On August 1, AD 52, he died in Corinth of typhoid fever. He was remembered as one of the most charismatic and ambitious leaders in the history of the Order, laying the foundation and weaving the fabric with which the Order of Rome would operate with for centuries.