COCEIUS, a Roman emperor after Domitian, who was the last of the 12 Caesars. He was a native of Narnia in Umbria; his family, however, was originally of Crete. Dion Cassius says he was born on the 17th of March, in the 18th year of Tiberius's reign, and of the Christian era the 32d. Nero in the 12th year of his reign made him praetor, and erected a statue for him in the palace on account of his poems (for he was one of the best poets of his age), some of which were inscribed to him. He was consul in 71 with Vespasian, and in 90 with Domitian.

Ancient authors uniformly celebrate him as a prince of a most mild and humane temper, of great moderation and generosity, who looked on his office as emperor, not as if it was for his own advantage, but for that of his people; and whilst he reigned, which was however but for a short time, he made the happiness of his subjects his only end and pursuit. He narrowly escaped death under Domitian; was naturally of a weak and timorous disposition; and, as some say, addicted to excessive drinking. The Romans unanimously chose him emperor; and they had no cause to repent of their choice, for he was constantly attentive to what could make them happy; he was generous, merciful, and disinterested. An instance of his great lenity appears in his pardoning Calpurnius Crassus who conspired against him. In short, he omitted nothing that might contribute to the restoring of the empire to its former lustre: recalling those who had been banished for religion, and redressing all grievances that came to his knowledge. He however found his strength failing, and that it would be impossible for him to finish his designs, in consequence of which he adopted Trajan. After his death, which happened in the year 98, he was ranked among the gods. He was the first Roman emperor of foreign extraction.