Marius Perpetuus was the son of Lucius Marius Perpetuus, an
equestrian procurator, and the brother of
Marius Maximus, the Roman imperial biographer. Although his career is fairly well documented, many of the dates in which he held office are uncertain. Possibly a member of the
Vigintiviri, his first attested position was as
Tribunus laticlavius of the
Legio IV Scythica, posted in
Syria. Standing as an imperial candidate for the office of
quaestor, the next magistracy was either
plebeian tribune or
aedile; if he was not
adlected into the praetorship, it is certain that he was a
praetor to hold those offices he is attested as holding. Marius Perpetuus was commissioned as
Legatus legionis of
Legio XVI Flavia Firma in
Syria-Coele under the
governor Lucius Alfenus Senecio, either in AD 200 or around AD 203. This was followed by an appointment as
Legatus Augusti pro praetore (or imperial governor) of
Arabia Petraea sometime between AD 200 and 207. Sometime around this period, between 203 and 214, Marius Perpetuus was appointed
suffect consul, the most likely dates being AD 203, 208 or 214. Sometime between AD 204 and 211, Marius Perpetuus was the
curator rerum publicarum Urbisalviensium (in Piceno) item Tusculanorum, and this was followed by his appointment as
Legatus Augusti pro praetore in
Moesia Superior, probably from AD 211 to around 214. Then, possibly in 214, or 215/6, he was again
Legatus Augusti pro praetore, this time of the province of
Tres Daciae. Finally he was appointed the
Proconsular
governor of either
Africa or
Asia around AD 218/9. ==Sources==