the earliest historical mention of bassus is from an inscription from kourion in cyprus, where he was governor; this inscription, which can be dated between 22 august 65 and 22 august 66, attests to the erection of a statue to the emperor nero during the tenure of bassus. his next appearance is in tacitus, who tells us that bassus was commander of the legio xi claudia, stationed in dalmatia. tacitus states that bassus manipulated the complaisant governor of dalmatia, marcus pompeius silvanus staberius flavinus, into supporting vespasian at the crucial moment.