Gaius Vibius Marsus

Who is Gaius Vibius Marsus?

Gaius Vibius Marsus, whom Tacitus calls "vetustis honoribus studiisque illustris," is first mentioned in 19 AD as one of the most likely persons to obtain the government of Syria, but the post wound up going to Gnaeus Sentius instead. In the same year he was sent to summon Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso to Rome to stand his trial. His name occurs again in 26, in the debates of the senate; and just before the death of Tiberius in 37 he narrowly escaped his own death, being accused as one of the accomplices of the notorious Albucilla. In 47 we find him governor of Syria.

The name of "Gaius Vibius Marsus", proconsul, appears on several coins of Utica in Africa, struck in the reign of Tiberius: they probably relate to this Vibius Marius; and as he was disappointed in obtaining the province of Syria in the reign of Tiberius, he may have been appointed to that of Africa.