Verus came from the Roman colony of Tolosa in Gallia Narbonensis. His first recorded post was as "legatus legionis" or commander 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.