Pompeia'nus, Tib. Clau'dius
the son of a Roman knight originally from Antioch, rose to the highest dignities under M. Aurelius.
He was one of the legates despatched to oppose the barbarian Kelts from beyond the Rhine, when they threatened to burst into Italy [PERTINAX] : he stands in the Fasti as consul for A. D. 173. was suffectus phrollably in A. D. 176, and received in marriage Lucilla, the daughter of the emperor, before the regular period of mourning for her first husband L. Verus had expired.
He was one of the trusty cousellors to whose charge the youthful Commodus was consigned, and one of the few who escaped the cruel persecution of that brutal savage, although he openly refused to countenance his follies, or to pander to his vices. During this unhappy period he passed his time chiefly in the country, excusing himself from appearing in public on account of age and weakness of sight. Pertinax, who had served under his command, treated him with the greatest distinction, and Didius Julianus is said to have invited him to quit his retirement at Tarraco, and to ascend the throne. Lampridius would lead us to suppose that he actually fell victim to the cruelties of Commodus, but more trustworthy authorities represent him as having lived on to the reign of Severus. (
D. C. 71.3,
20,
73.3; Herodian. 1.8.6; Capitolin.
M. Aur. 20; Vulcat. Gallican.
Avid. Cass. 11; Lamprid.
Commod.)
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W.R]
