I've recently started learning about the history of Rome (thanks to The History of Rome podcast and a long work commute) and am really fascinated by how sometimes successors to a previous regime they held a grudge against would try to erase the previous ruler from existence. Is there a case where this was successful? Are there generals, consuls, tribunes or similar figures who we know must have existed and done something significant but can't identify them because they were erased by vengeful successors?
The purpose of this ritual was not really to erase someone's existence but to destroy their public identity. This has been discussed recently here by u/Spencer_A_McDaniel (focusing on Elagabalus) and here by u/ShallThunderintheSky (a more general answer), and some time ago here by u/XenophonTheAthenian and u/Astrogator. You can also read more in some even older threads like this one by u/Thalmia_and_tea and this by u/talondearg. Though a possible example of what you are asking for is that we have a few coins from the turbulent 3rd century depicting Roman rulers who are not mentioned in any literary sources. Most of these seem to have been unsuccessful usurpers, like many mentioned in the sources whose coins have also been found, but some historians propose that Silbannacus (known from two coins) might have had a very short-lived reign in Rome. This is briefly discussed for instance in this academic review by Udo Hartmann, available online (for those who can read some German)
