25 Facts About Avidius Cassius

Avidius Cassius began his military career under Antoninus Pius, rising to the status of legatus legionis.

Avidius Cassius served during the Parthian war of Lucius Verus, in which he distinguished himself, for which he was elevated to the Senate, and later made Imperial legate.

In 175, Cassius declared himself emperor, because he had received news, from Marcus Aurelius' wife Faustina the Younger, that the Emperor Marcus Aurelius was about to die.

Avidius Cassius received broad support in the eastern provinces of Egypt, Syria, Syria Palaestina and Arabia Petraea, especially Syria, which was his homeland.

Avidius Cassius was born around 130, in the town of Cyrrhus, Syria.

Avidius Cassius was born to Gaius Avidius Heliodorus and Julia Cassia Alexandra.

Avidius Cassius was a descendant of Herod the Great through her father, Gaius Julius Alexander Berenicianus.

Avidius Cassius was a distant descendant of the Roman client-king Antiochus IV Epiphanes of Commagene, who had been dethroned half a century before.

Avidius Cassius' legion was by this time in dire need of supplies.

Avidius Cassius sent details of his campaign to Rome, for which he was rewarded with elevation to the Senate.

In late 166AD, Avidius Cassius was appointed imperial legate of Syria.

Avidius Cassius succeeded in putting down this revolt in 175, after using a strategy of dividing the various revolting tribespeople, and then conquering them.

In 175, after hearing false reports that Marcus Aurelius had succumbed to his severe illness, Avidius Cassius declared himself emperor, claiming that Aurelius' troops in Pannonia, where he had been leading troops as a part of the Marcomannic War, had elected him emperor.

Some versions say that Avidius Cassius was tricked, or persuaded, by Faustina the Younger, who was the wife of Aurelius, because she feared that Aurelius would die while Commodus, their son, was still young, a situation which would likely have led to a usurper seizing the throne for himself.

The exact wording of his speech is unknown, as the record given by Avidius Cassius Dio is believed to be a free composition, which followed only the outline of Aurelius' actual speech.

Avidius Cassius was recorded as saying that he hoped that Cassius would not be killed or commit suicide, so that he could show mercy.

Avidius Cassius received large support from the Eastern provinces, especially his homeland of Syria, due to a combination of his distant royal descent, his victories in the Parthian War and the Bucolic War.

Avidius Cassius received support from the provinces of Egypt, Syria, Syria Palaestina and Arabia Petraea, giving him a potential strength of seven legions: three from Syria, two from Syria Palaestina, one from Roman Arabia, and one from Egypt.

Avidius Cassius set his base of operations in Egypt, with two important bases outside of Egypt being Antioch and Cyrrhus, both important military centres.

Avidius Cassius, through the marriage of his daughter, Avidia Alexandra, to Titius Claudius Dryantianus Antonius, had connection to the Licinnii of Lycia, including Claudius Dryantianus's father Tiberius Claudius Agrippinus, who was a consul.

When news of Aurelius' plans to invade reached Egypt, a centurion killed Avidius Cassius, and sent his head to Aurelius, who refused to see it, and ordered it buried.

Avidius Cassius had rebelled for three months and six days before being killed, during which time no coins were struck bearing his image.

Avidius Cassius set off with a body of advisors, along with his wife, Faustina, who died along the way, in a village in south Cappadocia, about 20 kilometres south of Tyana, called Halala.

Avidius Cassius was labelled as being a strict disciplinarian during his time as commander of Legio III Gallica.

Avidius Cassius was married to Volusia Vettia Maeciana, daughter of Lucius Volusius Maecianus, and had at least three children :.