Titus Avidius Quietus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Titus Avidius Quietus
Consul of the Roman Republic
In office May 93? – September 93? Serving with Sextus Lusianus Proculus
Preceded by	Sextus Pompeius Collega with Quintus Peducaeus Priscinus
Succeeded by	Gaius Cornelius Rarus Sextius Naso with Tuccius Cerialis
Personal details
Born	Unknown Possibly Faenza, Italy
Died	Unknown (by 107 AD)
Spouse	Unknown
Children	Titus Avidius Quietus
Military service
Allegiance	Roman Empire
Commands	legate of Legio VIII Augusta Governor of Britannia

Titus Avidius Quietus was an important Roman leader who lived a long time ago. He was a senator and worked for the emperors Domitian, Nerva, and Trajan. He held big jobs like being a consul (a top official) in the year 93 AD. He also served as the governor of Roman Britain around the year 98 AD. He passed away by the year 107 AD.

Early Life and Connections

Titus Avidius Quietus was born around the early 40s AD. Historians believe he might have been from a town called Faventia, which is now Faenza, Italy. This town was located along an old Roman road called the Via Aemilia.

Quietus was good friends with a famous philosopher named Publius Clodius Thrasea Paetus. This friendship shows that Quietus was connected to important thinkers of his time. He also owned at least two homes in the city of Rome. Records show he had large properties on the island of Sardinia too.

His Career in Roman Politics

We know about a few important jobs Quietus had before he became a consul. In 82 AD, soldiers from the Legio VIII Augusta (a Roman army group) asked him to be a special protector for a new town. This town was called Deultum in Thrace.

Historians think Quietus was chosen because he was a leader (a legate) of that army group at the time. Later, around 91 or 92 AD, he became the governor (proconsul) of Achaea, which is part of modern-day Greece. While there, he became friends with another famous writer, Plutarch. Plutarch wrote about Quietus in some of his books.

Becoming a Consul

It might seem a bit surprising that Quietus became a consul under Emperor Domitian. This was especially true in 93 AD, a time when Domitian was not very friendly with people like Quietus's philosopher friends. However, some historians believe Domitian might have been trying to make peace with these groups.

After Domitian was no longer emperor in 96 AD, Quietus spoke up in the Senate. He defended Pliny the Younger, another important Roman, who was trying to get justice for a leader named Helvidius Priscus.

Governor of Britain

Soon after his speech, Quietus was chosen to be the governor of Roman Britain. This was a big job, even though he hadn't been in the military recently. Emperor Nerva, who ruled at the time, often chose experienced older leaders for important positions. Quietus's appointment fit this pattern.

We don't know much about his career after he left Britain. Historians believe he had passed away by the year 107 AD.

His Family

Quietus had a son who was also named Titus Avidius Quietus. His son followed in his footsteps and became a consul in 111 AD. He later served as the governor (proconsul) of Asia, a large Roman province.

Quietus also had a nephew named Gaius Avidius Nigrinus. This nephew became a consul in 110 AD. Sadly, he was put to death in 118 AD because he was accused of plotting against Emperor Hadrian.

However, Nigrinus's daughter, Avidia, married a man named Lucius Aelius. This Lucius Aelius was later adopted by Emperor Hadrian and became his chosen successor. This shows that Quietus's family remained connected to powerful people in the Roman Empire.