Lucius Caesennius Paetus

Who is Lucius Caesennius Paetus?

Lucius Junius Caesennius Paetus was a Roman aristocrat, member of the Caesennian gens and the Junian gens, who lived in the second half of the 1st century during the Roman Empire. He was Consul Ordinarius for the year 61, and enjoyed several high provincial commands in the East.

He was the son of Publius Caesennius Paetus, born c. 5 BC, a Tarquinian Etruscan Italian, and wife; paternal grandson of Caesennius, born c. 40 BC, and wife; and great-grandson of Lucius Caesennius Lento and wife.

Paetus served as a Roman Politician and General during the reigns of Roman Emperors Nero and Vespasian. He served as a Consul Ordinarius in 61. After his consulship and in the same year, perhaps in June, Paetus was appointed Governor and Legatus Augusti pro praetore of Cappadocia. During his governorship, the General Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo was conducting Rome’s war with Parthia over Armenia. In successive campaigns, Corbulo had established Roman rule over the country, and Paetus was placed in charge of defending it from Parthian counterstrokes.

Paetus despised Corbulo’s talent as a General. In 62 however, Paetus, at the head of the legions XII Fulminata and IV Scythica suffered a catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Rhandeia against the Parthian and Armenian forces of King Tiridates I of Armenia. Paetus and his legions were forced to surrender, were shamed by passing under the yoke and were allowed to retreat from Armenia. After his defeat, Paetus' weak character and his incapability to command were revealed, and his military command was entrusted again to Corbulo.