Gaius Fulvius Plautianus

Gaius or Lucius Fulvius Plautianus (ca 150 – 22 January 205) was a member of the Roman gens Fulvia (the Fulvius family), a family of the patrician status which had been active in politics since the Roman Republic.

Plautianus was originally from Leptis Magna, southeast of Carthage (modern Libya, North Africa). He was a maternal cousin and long-time friend of Roman Emperor Lucius Septimius Severus. His father was another Gaius Fulvius Plautianus, born ca 130, brother of Fulvia Pia (ca 125 - aft. 198), the wife of Publius Septimius Geta. His paternal grandfather was ... Fulvius Pius, born ca 100, son of ... Fulvius Pius, born ca 70, grandson of ... Fulvius ..., born ca 40, great-grandson of ... Fulvius ..., born ca 10, and great-great-grandson of Marcus Fulvius Saturnius (ca 20 BC - aft. 25), a Nobleman in Leptis Magna. His paternal grandmother was Plautia Octavilla, born ca 110, daughter of Lucius Plautius Octavianus (ca 90 - aft. 150), a Nobleman in Leptis Magna ca 150, and wife Aquilia Blaesilla, born ca 190, in turn daughter of Gaius Aquilius Postumus, born ca 55, and wife Hateria, born ca 70.

Plautianus was appointed Prefect Commander of the Praetorian Guard in 197. Due to their friendship, Severus rewarded Plautianus with various honors including a consular insigina, a seat in the Roman Senate and the Consulship of 203. During his consulship, Plautianus' image was minted on coins along with Severus' second son Publius Septimius Geta.

He assisted Severus in administering the empire and became very wealthy and powerful. Severus made him his second in command. In 202, Plautianus married his daughter Publia Fulvia Plautilla to Caracalla (Severus’ first son) in Rome. Plautianus became so powerful that Roman Empress Julia Domna and Caracalla began to be concerned.

The marriage between Caracalla and Publia Fulvia Plautilla was not a happy one. In fact, Caracalla loathed both her and her father, threatening to kill them after becoming sole emperor. When Plautianus discovered this, he began to plot to overthrow Severus' family.

When Plautianus' treachery was discovered, the imperial family summoned him to the palace and ordered his death on 22 January 205. After his death, Plautianus’ property was confiscated, his son of the same name, daughter and granddaughter were exiled to Sicily and then later to Lipari and his name was erased from public monuments. His son, daughter and granddaughter were strangled on Caracalla's orders in early 212.

He married Hortensia and had:
 * Fulvia Plautilla
 * Gaius Fulvius Plautius Hortensianus (ca 170 - executed, 212), married to Aurelia (b. ca 170), daughter of Lucius Aurelius Gallus (ca 140 - aft. 174), Consul in 174, and had:
 * Fulvia (b. ca 192), married to Lucius Neratius Junius Macer (b. ca 185), consularis vir in Saepinum, and had issue