He then served several times as a senior military officer working with the future emperor Tiberius in campaigns against the Marcomanni, gaining the distinction of being awarded triumphal ornaments.

[1] His father was a senator who supported Sextus Pompey, serving as an envoy on his behalf to Marcus Antonius in Greece in 40 BC, but at some point he switched allegiance to Octavian, who was later to become emperor as Augustus.

[6] As a member of the Quindecimviri sacris faciundis, one of the most prestigious colleges (collegia) of state high priests, Saturninus played a major role in the Saecular Games of 17 BC.

Following instructions from Augustus, he convened a council at Berytus to rule on accusations of treason made by Herod the Great against his sons Aristobulus and Alexander.

However, the procurator, the chief financial officer of the province, along with the majority of the council, voted against Herod's sons, resulting in their condemnation and execution.

[9] Tertullian (c. 160 – 225 AD), the Christian law expert from Carthage in North Africa, wrote that Jesus was born while Gaius Sentius Saturninus was legate of Syria.

During this time he was awarded the ornamenta triumphalia, "triumphal ornaments" or an ovation; Augustus had restricted full triumphs to members of the imperial family.