Publius Martius Verus


Publius Martius Verus was a Roman senator and general. He was twice consul. Verus played a major role in the suppression of the revolt of Avidius Cassius by remaining loyal to the emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Life

Verus came from the Roman colony of Tolosa in Gallia Narbonensis. His first recorded post was as legate of Legio V Macedonica in 162, during the Roman–Parthian War. Upon the resolution of that conflict, Verus was appointed suffect consul in 166 with Marcus Vibius Liberalis. That same year he was made governor of Roman Cappadocia, which post he held upon the revolt of Avidius Cassius.
Following the defeat and death of Avidius Cassius, in 175 Verus was replaced as governor of Cappadocia by Gaius Arrius Antoninus, and made governor of Avidius Cassius' former province, Syria, apparently to aid in re-establishing Imperial control of that province. Verus was also rewarded for his loyalty with being appointed consul ordinarius in 179, with the co-emperor Commodus.
His life after the ordinary consulship is not recorded.

Family

Verus married a Sergia Saturnina, a native of Ostia. They are known to have had a son, Publius Martius Sergius Saturninus, ordinary consul in 198.