Marcus Oclatinius Adventus

Marcus Oclatinius Adventus advanced from a military career into senior imperial service, holding procuratorial commands before becoming praetorian prefect alongside Macrinus. His unusual rise from comparatively humble origins illustrates the opportunities available within the army and equestrian administration during the Severan period.

Alex Gough uses the younger Adventus in Who All Die and the Imperial Assassin series as the organiser of the Arcani intelligence service. The novels extend the sparse historical record by imagining his early experience and clandestine work while retaining his documented trajectory towards the centre of Caracalla’s government.