Lucio Rufus

Background

Verginius Rufus was born in Northern Italy as a member of an equestrian family.

Career

He was three times consul (in 63, 69, and 97), born near Comum, the birthplace of both Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger. He became consul in 63 under the emperor Nero. After his consulship, Verginius Rufus was made governor of Germania Superior.

When Gaius Iulius Vindex revolted against Nero in 67, Verginius Rufus led an army against him and defeated the rebel in 68 near modern-day Besançon.

After the death of Otho in April 69, the soldiers again offered the throne to Verginius, but he again refused lieutenant Verginius retreated to an estate at Alsium on the coast of Etruria northwest of Rome.

There he studied, composed poems, and had a literary salon, living calmly for thirty years chiefly at his villa in Alsium. After the murder of Emperor Domitian, Marcus Cocceius Nerva was elected emperor by the senate.

Nerva chose as his co-consul for 97 the elderly Verginius Rufus, who was enticed out of retirement.

However, when Verginius Rufus was to hold a speech, he dropped a book he was carrying, and while bending down to pick it up, slipped and broke his hip. He died not long afterward and was given a state funeral. At the public burial with which he was honored, the historian Tacitus (then consul) delivered the funeral oration.

Connections

ally:

Servius Sulpicius Galba