Volusius came from an ancient and distinguished Senatorial family, that according to Tacitus (56 – 120) had never risen above the praetorship until then.

[4] His mother was Claudia, aunt of the future Roman emperor Tiberius.

[6] Volusius was a homo novus, the first member of his family to serve as a suffect consul in 12 BC, replacing Publius Sulpicius Quirinius.

[8] Several years later he served as proconsular governor of Africa for 7/6 BC, as attested by coins of Acholla and Hadrumetum.

[6] Volusius married Nonia Polla, the daughter of Lucius Nonius Asprenas consul of 36 BC.