What is "verus"

Verus may refer to:

• Lucius Verus (130–169), Roman co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius
• Verus (senator) (died 219), Roman centurion and senator
• Verus (gladiator) (fl. 80), Roman gladiator
• Marcus Annius Verus, the birth name of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (121–180)
• Marcus Annius Verus (praetor) (died 124), Roman politician and father of Marcus Aurelius
• Marcus Annius Verus (died 138), Roman consul and paternal grandfather of Marcus Aurleius
• Gnaeus Julius Verus (born c. 112), Roman general and senator

Verus (died 219) 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 (218).

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.

Verus was a well-known gladiator during the reigns of the Emperors Vespasian and Titus in the latter part of the 1st century. His combat with Priscus was the highlight of the opening day of the games conducted by Titus to inaugurate the Flavian Amphitheatre (later the Colosseum) in AD 80, and was recorded in a laudatory poem by Martial — the only detailed description of a gladiatorial fight that has survived to the present day. Both gladiators were declared victors of the combat, and were awarded their freedom by the Emperor in a unique outcome.

Martial, Liber de Spectaculis, XXIX:

As Priscus and Verus each lengthened the contest,
And for a long time the battle was equal on each side,
Repeatedly loud shouts petitioned for the men to be released;
But Titus followed his own law; —
It was the law to fight without shield until a finger was raised: —
He did what was allowed, often gave dishes and gifts.
But an end was found to the equal division:
Equals to fight, equals to yield.
Titus sent wooden swords to both and palms to both:
Thus skillful courage received its prize.
This took place under no prince except you, Titus:
When two fought, both were the victor.

Cum traheret Priscus, traheret certamina Verus,
esset et aequalis Mars utriusque diu,
missio saepe uiris magno clamore petita est;
sed Titus legi paruit ipse suae; —
lex erat, ad digitum posita concurrere parma: —
quod licuit, lances donaque saepe dedit.
Inuentus tamen est finis discriminis aequi:
pugnauere pares, subcubuere pares.
Misit utrique rudes et palmas Caesar utrique:
hoc pretium uirtus ingeniosa tulit.
Contigit hoc nullo nisi te sub principe, Titus:
cum duo pugnarent, uictor uterque fuit.