Lucius Verginius Rufus

Lucius Verginius Rufus (14 - 97) was a Roman commander of upper Germany during the late 1st century, most notable for his refusal of the imperial purple in 69.

Verginius Rufus was born in Northern Italy as a member of an equestrian family. 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 lead an army against him and defeated the rebel in 68 near modern day Besançon. After Nero's fall, the legions under Verginius Rufus hailed him emperor as opposite to Servius Sulpicius Galba but Verginius Rufus refused to accept the crown. Verginius retreated to an estate at Alsium to the northwest of Rome, where he studied, composed poems, and had a literary salon, living calmly for thirty years.

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.

Trivia

Verginius Rufus served as guardian for Pliny the Younger when the latter's father died.

References

*Cassius Dio, Roman history 63.23.1-24.4
*Wells, Colin. "The Roman Empire." Cambridge, MA: Harvard, 1992. 153-154

External links

* [http://www.livius.org/va-vh/verginius/rufus.html Livius.org: Lucius Verginius Rufus]