Gaius Turranius was a Roman eques who flourished during the reign of the emperors Augustus and Tiberius. He was appointed to a series of imperial offices, most notably praefectus, governor of Roman Egypt, and later praefectus annonae.
His home city was Gades (now Cádiz). In 7 BC, Turranius was appointed to the prefect of Egypt and held that position until 4 BC. One of his acts in office has survived: an edict ordering the registration of Egyptian priests and what services they provide so “I may examine them. Those not of the priestly order shall be removed from office immediately.” The Flight into Egypt of Mary, Joseph and Jesus is thought to have occurred during his tenure.
Turranius is attested as praefectus annonae when Tiberius succeeded Augustus on the latter’s death in AD 14. He has attested again in that post in 48, during the reign of Claudius. According to Seneca the Younger, Caligula relieved him from that post because of his great age. Turranius ordered his family to mourn him as if he were dead; this only ended when Claudius restored him to his prefecture.
