Marcus Verus

Predecessor
 Predecessor
 Successor
 Consul with:
 Died
 Spouse
Caeionius Apronianus
 Gens
 Father
 Religion

**Marcus Verus** (10 March 1008 – 4 May 1057) was Roman emperor from 1038 to 1057 AUC. He was the second ruler of the Pax Aureliana, an age of renewed peace and stability for the Roman Empire. Before becoming Emperor he also served as Roman consul in 1035.

## Early life and career

Marcus was born, with the name Marcus Caeionius Proculus, in Rome during the reign of Valerian, at the height of the Crisis of the Tenth Century, to senatorial Ceionii family. Son of Marcus Ceionius Varus, future praefectus urbi of Rome, and of his wife Rufia Procula, he was distantly descended from the great Emperor Augustus through his father.

He began his career in Roman public life at the age of 20, when, with the help of his uncle Ceionius Virius Bassus, a close friend of Emperor Aurelian, he was made a military tribune for Aurelian's upcoming Persian campaign. He was originally attached to Legio X Fretensis, but was chosen by Aurelian, who took a liking to the young man, to serve on his command staff. Marcus proved himself an able commander throughout the campaign, and he gained the trust of Aurelian, who took on a fatherly admiration for young Marcus

## Campaign in Germany

*Main Article: Verus' German Campaigns*

After the victory at Bagistana in March of 1030, Aurelian appointed Marcus to be the governor of Germania Superior, sending him west to deal with trouble on the Rhine and Pannonian. He is recorded to have arrived to the city of Augusta Raurica on 24 May 1030, and quickly he took command of the situation.

While to the north the general Galerius pushed the Franks back behind across the Rhine and built fortifications and bridgeheads on the right bank Marcus focused his efforts against the Alemanni and Longiones. Both tribes had during the chaos of the recent crises advanced through and occupied the Neckar valley, between the Rhine and Danube, and had since been frequently launching raids into Gaul. At the same time he crossed the the Neckar and drove out the invaders. He defeated them at the Battle of the Tragisama, near the town of Tarduna, and took the Longiones leader Semnon prisoner, but opted to free Semnon. In return the Alemanni and Longiones had to return to their homelands, surrender all that they had looted, and hand over all the captured Romans.

He then moved his attention to the Vandals and Burgundians who had suddenly in August crossed the Danube and invaded Raetia, laying siege to the city of Augusta Vindelicorum. Despite being outnumbered by the Burgundians he moved against them anyways, and was able to trick and defeat them at the Battle of Lechfeld and the Battle Augusta Vindelicorum.

For his victories he received the title *Germanicus Maximus.* Reportedly, 400,000 barbarians were killed during the campaign, though this is probably an exaggeration.

With the invaders defeated, in 1031 Marcus launched a series of minor campaigns across the Rhine and Danube into the Barbarian homelands, securing tribal loyalty and establishing client rulers in disloyal tribes.

## Appointment as Caesar

Upon his adoption he dropped Proculus from his name, taking instead the name Marcus Caeionius Aurelianus.

## Emperor

Aurelian died on 16 November 1038, and Marcus, with no opposition, succeeded him. The new emperor decided to forgo his family name, Caeionius, and became Imperator Caesar Marcus Verus Aurelianus Augustus. The cognomen Verus, harkening back to his ancestry which he could track to Lucius Verus and Augustus.

During his reign he enacted many reforms. He also led several campaigns on the Danube and against the Blemmyes in Egypt.

## Reforms

#### Senate Empowerment

One of the cornerstones of Verus's reforms was the restoration of the Roman Senate's authority and influence. To achieve this, he implemented measures that curtailed the accumulation of power within the imperial court and decentralized decision-making. Verus actively engaged senators in policy discussions, seeking their expertise and counsel on important matters of state. This collaborative approach not only revitalized the Senate but also ensured a more balanced and accountable government.

#### Legal and Administrative Efficiency

Verus recognized the need to streamline the Roman bureaucracy to enhance governance and curb corruption. He initiated sweeping reforms to simplify administrative processes, eliminate redundant offices, and establish a standardized legal code. These changes not only reduced the burden on citizens but also improved the consistency and fairness of legal proceedings, fostering greater trust in the justice system.

#### Economic Revival

To stimulate economic growth, Verus introduced a series of targeted economic reforms. He lowered taxes on key industries, incentivizing investment and trade. Moreover, he promoted the expansion of infrastructure, including roads and ports, to facilitate commerce within the empire. Verus also introduced a stable currency system, enhancing economic stability and facilitating trade with foreign nations. These reforms revitalized the Roman economy, leading to increased prosperity and a higher standard of living for the populace.

## Legacy

Verus' leadership played a pivotal role in ushering in an era of tranquility after years of internal turmoil and external threats. And a growing movement of modern historians have begun to give him equal credit to Aurelian in ushering in the Pax Aureliana. His reign also helped restore the Senate to playing a more active role in the management of the Empire

## Marriage and children

Marcus and his wife Domitia Severina had seven children during their 25-year marriage, though two died in infancy. Their children included:

* Domitia (1033-1038)
* Marcus Ceionius Verus (1035-1056)
* Caeionia (1038-1105)
* Lucius Ceionius Apronianus (1040-1079)
* Marcus Ceionius Julianus Camenius (1043-1116)
* Marcia Domitia Ceionia (1045-1124)
* Lucius Proculus Aurelianus (1049)