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Sextus Varius Marcellus was a Roman of equestris class, but was later elevated to the rank of senator.

Although he had little administrative experience he was related to Septimius Severus and the new emperor sent him to Roman Britain in 197 to assist Virius Lupus in rebuilding the province. Marcellus served as provincial procurator, collecting taxes, generally managing Britain's finances and possibly overseeing the appropriation of private land to the emperor's res privata.

He married Julia Soaemias, and was the supposed father of Varius Avitus Bassianus, the later Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, better known as Elagabalus.