Verus

Who was Verus?

Verus was a Roman usurper.

Verus was a centurion, who had successfully raised to the rank of Roman Senator. He was the commander of the Legio III Gallica, a legion located in Syria, which supported Elagabalus bid for power.

Soon, however, the soldiers disenchanted with the reign of Elagabalus, and in the winter 218–219 Verus took the opportunity, proclaiming himself Roman Emperor, and leading the rebellion of the Third legion. However, Elagabalus had Verus executed, dispersed the legion and took away from Tyre, where its headquarters were, the status of metropolis.