Anthony Birley states he was "probably" the son of
Publius Mummius Sisenna, consul ordinarius of 133. Two surviving inscriptions from
Tivoli document his
cursus honorum. Rutilianus started his senatorial career as one of the
decemviri stlitibus judicandis, one of the four boards that form the
vigintiviri; membership in one of these four boards was a preliminary and required first step toward a gaining entry into the Roman Senate. Then he was commissioned a
military tribune in
Legio V Macedonica, then stationed in
Moesia Inferior. Next he was elected a
quaestor, and upon completion of this traditional Republican magistracy Rutilianus would be enrolled in the Senate. Two more traditional Republican magistracies followed:
plebeian tribune and
praetor. After completing his term as praetor, Rutilianus likely served as
legatus legionis for
Legio VI Victrix, stationed in
Roman Britain, under his father who was governor of the province c.133-135/138?. "Such close links between governors and legionary legates were abnormal," notes Birley, "but they could be interpreted as a sign of favour from
Hadrian." His next post was prefect of the
aerarium Saturni or Senate treasury, which he held for three years;
Mireille Corbier dates his tenure from the year 141 to 143 with
Lucius Coelius Festus as his colleague. At some point prior to his consulate Rutilianus was accepted into the
collegium of
Augurs, which Birley notes, confirms his "high social standing." The second office was
proconsular governor of
Asia, the apex of a successful Senatorial career, which
Ronald Syme dates to the term 160/161. == Rutilianus and the oracle ==