Caesonius Macer, the son of Gaius, was a member of the second century
gens Caesonia, a family which originated from
Italy, possibly hailing from
Antium. Possibly of
equestrian origin, he began his career probably towards the end of the reign of
Marcus Aurelius as a member of the
vigintiviri where, as a
triumvir capitalis, he managed the prisons in
Rome. Sometime between AD 178 and 180, Caesonius Macer was commissioned
military tribune of the
Legio I Adiutrix which was stationed at
Brigetio in
Pannonia Superior. Here he fought under Marcus Aurelius in the
Second Marcomannic War, during which time his unit was awarded
dona militaria (or military honours) by the
emperor. His next posting was as
quaestor in the
province of
Gallia Narbonensis, after which he returned to Rome to serve as
plebeian tribune, probably under the new emperor
Commodus. In around AD 185, Caesonius Macer continued his climb up the
cursus honorum with his appointment as
legatus proconsulis, where he assisted the
governor of
Hispania Baetica in his duties. Then in around AD 187, he was back in Rome where he was elected
praetor. His somewhat lengthy propraetorian career began with being once again selected
legatus proconsulis, this time assisting the governor of
Asia. Next, he served as
Curator rei publicae Asculanorum (or an officer overseeing financial issues in
Asculum). Sometime around AD 187–190, Caesonius Macer was appointed
legatus legionis of the
Legio VII Claudia, where he was posted to
Viminacium in
Moesia Superior. Then around AD 192, he was appointed the
proconsular governor of
Achaea, a province that was usually reserved for the junior
senators of praetorian rank. Returning to Italy, Caesonius Macer was next appointed
Curator rei publicae Tarracinensiumca in around AD 193, either during the end of Commodus’ reign, or early in
Pertinax’s reign. Following this Caesonius Macer was appointed
legatus augusti pro praetore (or imperial governor) of the province of
Lusitania, which he possibly held from AD 193/194 to 197. He was either appointed just prior to the accession of
Septimius Severus, or he may have been Severus’ own appointment; in any event, he probably retained his command until he was appointed
suffect consul in around AD 197 or 198. This may have been Caesonius Macer's reward for suppressing the revolt of the governor of
Hispania Citerior,
Lucius Novius Rufus, who was a supporter of Septimius Severus’ rival,
Clodius Albinus. Following his consulship, he was appointed
Curator rei publicae Teanensiumca (around AD 197); this was followed by another curatorship, this time as
curator alvei Tiberis (or the official responsible for looking after the banks and channels of the
Tiber River), around AD 198–200. Caesonius Macer's political career under Septimius Severus continued with his first appointment to a consular governorship; he was made
legatus augusti pro praetore of
Germania Superior, a position he probably held from AD 200 to 203. Returning to Italy, he was given the role of
Curator aquarum et Miniciae (or curator of the
aqueducts 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 under
Caracalla sometime between AD 213–215, but he may also have held it sometime during
Elagabalus’ reign, between AD 218–222. Either before or after his proconsular governorship, Caesonius Macer was again appointed as a curator, this time as
curator rei publicae Lanivinorum, an office he filled on two occasions sometime during the later years of Caracalla's reign. A member of the
sodales Augustales, he was made the
comes of the emperor
Alexander Severus during the emperor's
Persian 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. ==Family==