Paetus was born in
Trebula Mutusca to a senatorial family with many connections. His father,
Titus Prifernius Paetus Rosianus Geminus, was suffect consul in 123, and his grandfather,
Titus Prifernius Paetus, was suffect consul in 96. His family was prestigious not only on the wider level but also on the local; Paetus is recorded holding all of the municipal posts of his home city. The first recorded office Paetus held was as one of the
decemviri stlitibus judicandus, one of the four magistracies that comprised the
vigintiviri. Then in the late 20s of the second century he served as
military tribune in the
Legio X Fretensis, stationed in
Judea. Upon returning to Rome, he held the traditional Roman magistracies --
quaestor,
plebeian tribune and
praetor—all with the recommendation of the emperor
Hadrian. Edward Dabrowa attributes this favor to the intercession of either his father or the well-known lawyer and friend of the Emperor, his brother-in-law
Publius Pactumeius Clemens. After serving as praetor, Paetus went on to be
legatus legionis or commander of a legion whose name has not been preserved (the two most likely units are
Legio XIV Gemina or
Legio IV Scythica), then governor of
Gallia Aquitania;
Géza Alföldy offers the dates for this office as from around 142 to 145. Dabrowa notes, "This post was of great significance because at that time it promised a swift promotion to consulship." He became suffect consul a year after his return to Rome. After the consulship, Paetus was admitted to the
collegium of
augurs. He also held a series of consular offices:
curator alvei Tiberis et cloacarum Urbis,
praefectus alimentorum; and the pinnacle of senatorial success, proconsular governor of Africa in 160/161. == References ==