Claudius Pompeian
Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus (Latin: Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus; 125 - c.195) was a prominent politician, and general of Marcus Aurelius, who lived in the II, and who was Roman consul twice, and rose to the position of senior senator of Rome after three times refusing to be Emperor of the Roman Empire.
Origins and career under Marcus Aurelius
Pompeian, a Syrian of humble origins, son of a Roman knight, began his cursus honorum as Tribunus Laticlavius of the Legio VII Gemina in the Hispania Tarragona under Antonino Pío between the years 145-149, later he was successively quaestor, aedile, and Praetor between the years 150 and 162, after that he obtained the suffect consulate in the year 162 together with Tiberio Claudio Paulino, He served in the Marcomannic Wars as a general under Marcus Aurelius, as a legate of Lower Pannonia beginning in 167. During this time he supported the young Pertinax, who was probably one of his clients and trusted collaborator, who would become to be emperor for 87 days after Pompeian himself resigned from office.
After the death of Lucius Verus in 169, Pompeianus married his widow, Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla, daughter of Marcus Aurelius. This arranged marriage, among other evidence, suggests that Marcus Aurelius was contemplating the possibility of appointing Pompeianus as Caesar and successor. It is even possible that this offer was made effective, but was rejected by Pompeianus, who was appointed ordinary consul in the year 173 together with Gnaeus Claudius Severus.
Bass Comfortable
In the year 182 Lucilla found herself involved, along with members of the Senate, in a conspiracy to end the life of Commodus, her own brother and emperor at the time. According to his plans, a Pompeian nephew would stab Commodus, but the assassin anticipated his intentions, according to legend he told the emperor: "this is the dagger sent to you by the Senate", which gave Commodus time to act. and abort the plot. The main parties involved, including several well-known senators, were executed. Lucilla was sent into exile on Capri, and was executed there shortly thereafter.
Due to the development of events, Pompeyano had to withdraw from public life, even though he did not personally participate in the conspiracy. He then spent most of his time in the field, citing his age and an eye ailment as an excuse not to return. But when Commodus died in the year 193, Pertinax offered him the imperial throne, which he again rejected.Pertinax then proclaimed himself emperor, but was assassinated by the Praetorian guard almost three months into his reign.
End of his life
After the assassination of Commodus, Pompeyano returned to public life, proving that his ailments were faked. He took part in the deliberations of the Senate, symbolically sitting on the same bench as Pertinax.
Didius Julian, who was named emperor by the highest bid at an auction organized by the Praetorian Guard, was unable to win support even among his own troops and, in a desperate attempt to save his life, asked Pompeian to come co-regent with him, which he rejected, apparently arguing again that his blindness and health problems prevented him from getting out of the trance. Julian was later executed by a soldier under Septimius Severus, after reigning for only sixty-six days. Pompeianus died soon after.
Offspring
His and Lucila's son was Lucius Aurelius Comfortable Pompeian, ordinary consul in the year 209, under Septimius Severus.