VERGINIUS RUFUS, LUCIUS

born AD 15 died 97 Roman governor of Germania Superior who, in May 68, put down a rebellion against Nero led by the Gallic governor Vindex. When Galba, the governor of Nearer Spain, succeeded Nero as emperor after Nero committed suicide in June, Verginius, favoured by his troops to be Nero's successor, was relieved of his command by the new emperor. The son of an undistinguished Roman knight, Verginius was three times consul. After the emperor Otho's suicide (April 69), Verginius was again offered the empire by Otho's troops but declined. Under the Flavian emperors he devoted himself to writing. He was a close friend of the younger Pliny, and the historian Tacitus delivered the oration at his funeral.