Editing Sextus Varius Marcellus (section)

==Family and career==
Little is known about the origins of Marcellus, other than he was born and raised in the city of [[Apamea, Syria|Apamea]] in [[Syria (Roman province)|Syria]].<ref>Levick, ''Julia Domna: Syrian Empress'', p.147</ref> Marcellus was a Roman citizen from the [[Roman equestrian order|Equestrian order]].<ref name=Bunson-346>Bunson, ''Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire'', p. 346</ref>

Marcellus had a long and distinguished political career.<ref name=Bunson-346/> He was present at the [[Secular Games]] in [[Ancient Rome|Rome]] in 204.<ref name=livius/> From 200 to 205, like Gaius [[Julius Avitus]] Alexianus,<ref name=livius/><ref name=Birley-223>Birley, ''Septimius Severus: The African Emperor'', p. 223</ref> Marcellus did not serve in a significant Roman military or political position, probably due to [[Roman emperor]] Lucius [[Septimius Severus]] views about him being influenced by the [[Praetorian prefect]] [[Gaius Fulvius Plautianus]].<ref name=Birley-223/><ref name=livius/> When Plautianus was killed in 205, Marcellus' career was able to move ahead.<ref name=livius/>

From 205 to about 207, Marcellus was a [[Procurator (Roman)|Procurator]] for the [[Roman aqueduct]]s<ref name=livius/> in Rome, a position usually given to Romans of [[Roman Senate|Senatorial]] rank, not from the Equestrian class. Marcellus was paid about 100,000 sesterces per year.<ref name=livius/>

Marcellus proved his worth and capabilities in his position to Emperor Severus and his family. In 208 the emperor promoted him to Procurator of [[Roman Britain]] and in this position he was responsible for gathering taxes for Rome. He earned 200,000 sesterces in this role.<ref name=livius/> Later he was promoted by the emperor to managing the finances of Roman Britain earning 300,000 sesterces.<ref name=livius/>

In 211 after the death of Lucius Septimius Severus, his sons [[Caracalla]] and [[Publius Septimius Geta]] succeeded their father on the Roman throne. Caracalla recalled Marcellus from Roman Britain to Rome and briefly placed him in the roles of [[Praefectus urbi]] and Praetorian prefect.<ref name=livius/> He was later admitted into the Senate and, soon after, became ''[[praefectus]]'' of the [[Aerarium militare|military treasury]].<ref name=livius/> He later became [[Roman governor|governor]] of [[Numidia]] and held this post until his death.<ref name=livius/>