[2] Werner Eck and Peter Weiß have shown, based on further inscriptions in Greek from Cilicia, that Dexter's gentilicium was Cornelius.
[1] His name in full, as attested in an inscription from Kesmeburun, is Publius Cornelius Dexter Augus[tanus Alpin]us Bellicus Sollers Metilius [...]us Rutillianus.
He also served as sevir equitum Romanorum of the annual review of the equites at Rome prior to being quaestor, the office needed for Dexter to be enrolled into the Senate.
According to the order of offices in the Bodrum inscription, Dexter was admitted to the Septemviri epulonum, one of the four most prestigious collegia of ancient Roman priests, prior to acceding to the praetorship.
Following the completion of his military service, he was appointed governor of the imperial province of Cilicia, which office he is attested as holding in 157.