Decimus Valerius Taurus Catullus Messallinus Asiaticus was a member of theArval Brethren who lived in the second half of 1st century and first half of 2nd century.
Asiaticus was ofAllobrogian andRoman ancestry. He was the son of the wealthy, prominent[1] and powerful[2]Roman Senator figureMarcus Lollius Paulinus Decimus Valerius Asiaticus Saturninus and the noblewoman Valeria Catulla Messallina,[3] who came from a family of consular rank.[3] The parents of his father werethe Legatus, Decimus Valerius Asiaticus[2] and his wife, Vitellia,[4] the daughter of theRoman emperorVitellius by his wifeGaleria Fundana.[4] His name reveals that he was related to the consul of the mid-1st centuryTitus Statilius Taurus Corvinus;[3] was a descendant of the Gallic consul, Roman SenatorDecimus Valerius Asiaticus by his wife,Lollia Saturnina and it is presumed he is the last known descendant of the brother of the poetGaius Valerius Catullus.[5] He was born and raised inRome.
In 105, during the reign ofRoman emperorTrajan he served as a member of theArval Brethren.[5] According to inscriptional evidence, Asiaticus was honored on theGreek island ofSamos and in the ancient Greek city ofEphesus.[3]
When Asiaticus died, he was honored with two funeral Greek inscriptions in Ephesus. The honorary inscriptions celebrate him as being the son of Marcus Lollius Paulinus Decimus Valerius Asiaticus Saturninus and his career being a priest serving in Rome.