Titus Flavius Postumius Varus

Titus Flavius Postumius Varus (fl. 3rd century) was a Roman senator who was appointed suffect consul around AD 250.

Biography

Postumius Varus was a member of the third century gens Postumia, which was not descended from the Republican family of the same name. His first recorded posting was as Legatus legionis of the Legio II Augusta, posted in Britannia Inferior sometime during the AD 240s. During his time there, he restored a temple of Diana at Isca Augusta.^[1] This was followed by his appointment as suffect consul around AD 250.^[2]

In 271 the emperor Aurelian appointed him to the post of Praefectus urbi of Rome. He was put under pressure when riots erupted in the city, and had to rally the urban cohorts to defend Aurelian’s rule while the emperor was campaigning against the Iuthungi. His handling of the riots may have led to his dismissal from the post.^[3]

During his career, Postumius Varus held two priesthoods, an Augur and a member of the Quindecimviri sacris faciundis. He was also noted as an orator.^[4]

Sources

• Martindale, J. R.; Jones, A. H. M, The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire, Vol. I AD 260-395, Cambridge University Press (1971)
• Mennen, Inge, Power and Status in the Roman Empire, AD 193-284 (2011)

References