Birth of Avidius Cassius
Avidius Cassius was born into a prominent eastern Roman family during the second century.
Role range: 0161-0175
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Avidius Cassius Biography and Timeline
Follow Avidius Cassius through 22 dated historical records for Roman Empire.
Avidius Cassius, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
22Distinct records
1 of 1Page
130–175Years on this page
130
150
Heliodorus Family Connection
Cassius was the son of Gaius Avidius Heliodorus, who had served as prefect of Egypt under Antoninus Pius.
Role range: 0161-0175
Julia Cassia Alexandra Lineage
Cassius's mother, Julia Cassia Alexandra, belonged to a distinguished eastern aristocratic family.
Role range: 0161-0175
163
Parthian War Command
Cassius held major military responsibilities during the Roman war against the Parthian Empire.
Role range: 0161-0175
164
Mesopotamian Offensive
Cassius helped direct Roman operations deeper into Mesopotamia during the eastern war.
Role range: 0161-0175
165
Capture of Ctesiphon
Captures Ctesiphon during the Roman-Parthian War.
Role range: 0161-0175
Capture of Seleucia
Roman forces under Cassius captured and sacked Seleucia during the campaign against Parthia.
Role range: 0161-0175
166
Consulship
Cassius received the consulship in recognition of his military successes in the eastern campaigns.
Role range: 0161-0175
Eastern Military Prestige
Cassius emerged from the Parthian War as one of the most powerful Roman commanders in the eastern provinces.
Role range: 0161-0175
172
Bucolic Revolt Suppression
Cassius helped suppress the Bucolic revolt that threatened Roman authority in Egypt.
Role range: 0161-0175
Supreme Eastern Command
Cassius became the senior Roman military commander in the eastern provinces after the death of Lucius Verus.
Role range: 0161-0175
173
Egyptian Security Restored
Cassius restored Roman control in Egypt after the defeat of the Bucolic rebels.
Role range: 0161-0175
175
Alexandrian Regnal Dating
Documents from Egypt were dated by the regnal year of Cassius during his short-lived imperial claim.
Role range: 0161-0175
Cappadocian Loyalty to Marcus
Cassius failed to secure universal eastern support because important officials and provinces remained loyal to Marcus Aurelius.
Role range: 0161-0175
Death of Avidius Cassius
Officers killed Cassius in July 175 before Marcus Aurelius's forces reached him.
Role range: 0161-0175
Egypt Recognizes Cassius
Egypt recognized Cassius as emperor during his brief challenge to Marcus Aurelius.
Role range: 0161-0175
Family Spared
Marcus Aurelius showed clemency toward Cassius's family after the revolt collapsed.
Role range: 0161-0175
Head Sent to Marcus Aurelius
Cassius's killers sent his severed head to Marcus Aurelius after ending the revolt.
Role range: 0161-0175
Herodes Atticus Rebuke
Herodes Atticus reportedly answered Cassius's revolt with the terse rebuke that he had gone mad.
Role range: 0161-0175
Imperial Titulature Adopted
After being proclaimed emperor in the East, Cassius adopted imperial titles in opposition to Marcus Aurelius.
Role range: 0161-0175
Rebellion of Avidius Cassius
Revolts after false reports of Marcus Aurelius death.
Role range: 0161-0175
Syrian Support
Much of Syria supported Cassius after his elevation as a rival emperor in 175.
Role range: 0161-0175
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.