Lucius Verginius Rufus

Lucius Verginius Rufus (AD 15-97; sometimes incorrectly called Lucius Virginus Rufus), was a Roman commander of upper Germany during the late 1st century. He was three times consul (in 63, 69, and 97), born near Comum, the birthplace of both Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger.

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 led 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 in preference to Servius Sulpicius Galba (Vindex' ally), but Verginius Rufus refused to accept the purple. After the death of Otho in April 69, the soldiers again offered the throne to Verginius, but he again refused it. 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 at the age of 83 and was given a state funeral.

At the public burial with which he was honored, the historian Tacitus (then consul) delivered the funeral oration. Pliny the Younger, his neighbor and ward, has recorded the lines which Verginius had ordered to be engraved upon his tomb: Hic situs est Rufus, pulso qui Vindice quondam Imperium asseruit non sibi sed patriae ("Here lies Rufus, who after defeating Vindex, did not take power, but gave it to the fatherland").

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Political offices
Preceded by
Publius Marius
Lucius Afinius Gallus
Consul of the Roman Empire with Gaius Memmius Regulus
63
Succeeded by
Gaius Laecanius Bassus
Marcus Licinius Crassus Frugi II
Preceded by
Galba
Titus Vinius
Suffect consul of the Roman Empire with Lucius Pompeius Vopiscus
69
Succeeded by
Vespasian
Titus
Preceded by
Gaius Manlius Valens
Gaius Antistius Vetus
Consul of the Roman Empire with Marcus Cocceius Nerva
97
Succeeded by
Marcus Cocceius Nerva
Trajan
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