AVIDIUS CASSIUS, CAIUS

(c. 130–175 AD)

   Roman general. He was born in Egypt c. 130 AD as son of Caius Avidius Heliodorus, prefect of Egypt. He served the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and took part in the Parthian War from 162–166. He became consul in 166 AD and was then named governor of Syria. On a rumor of the death of the emperor, he was proclaimed his successor in 175 AD and controlled Egypt and the East, but his revolt collapsed, and he was killed when the news of the emperor’s death proved false.