Imperial General: The Remarkable Career of Petellius Cerialis

Petilius Cerealis is one of the few Imperial Roman officers below the rank of Emperor whose career can be documented in sufficient detail for a full biography. His career was marked by eventful and colorful episodes, with a pattern of involvement in major events from which he emerged largely unscathed, despite various dangerous situations and scandals. Cerealis was in Britain when Boudicca's revolt erupted around 60 or 61 AD and marched to confront her, though he lost most of his force while barely escaping himself. In 69 AD, during the tumultuous year of the four emperors, he was in Rome amid conspiracy. When his uncle Vespasian made his bid for imperial power—becoming the fourth emperor that year—Cerealis faced danger as a potential traitor and had to flee the city to join his uncle's forces. Later, while commanding troops on the Rhine during the Batavian mutiny, he survived only because he was away from his tent at the time. This biography examines the life of an Imperial Roman officer during the Principate period, drawing on documented historical events from Cerealis's military and political career.