Gaius Caesonius Macer Rufinianus (c. AD 157 – c. AD 237) was aRoman military officer andsenator who was appointedsuffect consul in around AD 197 or 198. He was the first member ofgensCaesonia to hold a consulship.
Caesonius Macer, the son of Gaius, was a member of the second centurygens Caesonia, a family which originated fromItaly, possibly hailing fromAntium. Possibly ofequestrian origin,[1] he began his career probably towards the end of the reign ofMarcus Aurelius as a member of thevigintiviri where, as atriumvir capitalis, he managed the prisons inRome.
Sometime between AD 178 and 180, Caesonius Macer was commissionedmilitary tribune of theLegio I Adiutrix which was stationed atBrigetio inPannonia Superior. Here he fought under Marcus Aurelius in theSecond Marcomannic War, during which time his unit was awardeddona militaria (or military honours) by theemperor. His next posting was asquaestor in theprovince ofGallia Narbonensis, after which he returned to Rome to serve asplebeian tribune, probably under the new emperorCommodus.
In around AD 185, Caesonius Macer continued his climb up thecursus honorum with his appointment aslegatus proconsulis, where he assisted thegovernor ofHispania Baetica in his duties. Then in around AD 187, he was back in Rome where he was electedpraetor. His somewhat lengthy propraetorian career began with being once again selectedlegatus proconsulis, this time assisting the governor ofAsia. Next, he served asCurator rei publicae Asculanorum (or an officer overseeing financial issues inAsculum).
Sometime around AD 187–190, Caesonius Macer was appointedlegatus legionis of theLegio VII Claudia, where he was posted toViminacium inMoesia Superior. Then around AD 192, he was appointed theproconsular governor ofAchaea, a province that was usually reserved for the juniorsenators of praetorian rank.[2] Returning to Italy, Caesonius Macer was next appointedCurator rei publicaeTarracinensiumca in around AD 193, either during the end of Commodus’ reign, or early inPertinax’s reign.
Following this Caesonius Macer was appointedlegatus augusti pro praetore (or imperial governor) of the province ofLusitania, which he possibly held from AD 193/194 to 197. He was either appointed just prior to the accession ofSeptimius Severus, or he may have been Severus’ own appointment; in any event, he probably retained his command until he was appointedsuffect consul in around AD 197 or 198. This may have been Caesonius Macer's reward for suppressing the revolt of the governor ofHispania Citerior,Lucius Novius Rufus, who was a supporter of Septimius Severus’ rival,Clodius Albinus. Following his consulship, he was appointedCurator rei publicaeTeanensiumca (around AD 197); this was followed by another curatorship, this time ascurator alvei Tiberis (or the official responsible for looking after the banks and channels of theTiber River), around AD 198–200.
Caesonius Macer's political career under Septimius Severus continued with his first appointment to a consular governorship; he was madelegatus augusti pro praetore ofGermania Superior, a position he probably held from AD 200 to 203. Returning to Italy, he was given the role ofCurator aquarum et Miniciae (or curator of theaqueducts and grain supply for Rome). The date and duration of this posting is uncertain; he may have held it any time between AD 203 and 213, with 204 being the most probable date. Next, he was appointed governor to one of the most prestigious and economically important proconsular provinces –Africa Proconsularis. Again, it is unclear exactly when he held this proconsular command – he may have held it underCaracalla sometime between AD 213–215, but he may also have held it sometime duringElagabalus’ reign, between AD 218–222.[3]
Either before or after his proconsular governorship, Caesonius Macer was again appointed as a curator, this time ascurator rei publicaeLanivinorum, an office he filled on two occasions sometime during the later years of Caracalla's reign. A member of thesodales Augustales, he was made thecomes of the emperorAlexander Severus during the emperor'sPersian campaign of 231–233. Given that Caesonius Macer was around seventy years of age by this time, it has been conjectured that he did not actually accompany the emperor to the east, and that the title was now beginning to be used as an honorific to indicate an individual who was connected to the imperial court.[4]
Caesonius Macer was married toManilia Lucilla, who was related toTiberius Manilius Fuscus, who wasconsul twice. They had at least one child,Lucius Caesonius Lucillus Macer Rufinianus, who was suffect consul possibly between AD 225 and 230.[5]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Uncertain | Consul suffectus of theRoman Empire around AD 197/198 | Succeeded by Uncertain |