Quick Facts
Biography
Gaius Valerius Pudens was a Roman office holder and general of the late 2nd- early 3rd centuries. His career is known almost entirely from inscriptions in the four provinces he governed.
Valerius Pudens was a native of Cuicul, now Djémila. His earliest attested post was governor of Pannonia Inferior in April 193, then suffect consul either in the later part of 193 or 194, before becoming governor of Germania Inferior at some point between 197 and 200.
After his tenure as governor in Lower Germany, he was appointed governor of Roman Britain. An inscription at Bainbridge fort records new barracks being built under his governorship, possibly in connection with recent uprisings by the Brigantes, and attests his presence there in 205. Birley believes he was the predecessor of Lucius Alfenus Senecio, but admits the evidence equally supports Pudens as Senecio's successor.
Pudens is last heard of as proconsul of Africa, either in 210-211 or 211-212. While proconsul, according to Tertullian, he refused to hear a case against a Christian.