Marcus_Junius_Silanus_(consul_15)

Marcus Junius Silanus (consul 15)

Marcus Junius Silanus (consul 15)

Roman senator and consul (c.26 BC-37 AD)

Marcus Junius C. f. M. n. Silanus (c. 26 BC – AD 37)[1] was an Ancient Roman senator who became suffect consul in AD 15.[2] His daughter Junia Claudilla was the first wife of Emperor Caligula.[2]

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Biography

Early life

Marcus' father was Gaius Junius Silanus who was the son of Marcus Junius Silanus, the consul of 25 BC.[3] Marcus had two brothers Decimus Junius Silanus and Gaius Junius Silanus, and a sister named Junia Torquata. Decimus was banished for having an affair with Vipsania Julia during the reign of Augustus.[2][3] Their mother may have been an Atia, daughter of Marcus Atius Balbus and Claudia. Balbus was the uncle of emperor Augustus.[4]

Political career

Ancient historians considered Marcus Silanus a highly respected man. When Tiberius came to power, if a judicial decision made by Silanus was appealed to the emperor, Tiberius invariably rejected the appeal, trusting Silanus' decision, and Tiberius would send the case back to him.[2][5] He also had the honour of casting the first vote in the Senate.[1] Silanus successfully persuaded Tiberius to recall the banishment of his brother Decimus.[2]

Family

Silanus had at least two daughters, Junia Silana and Junia Claudilla. In 33, his daughter Junia Claudilla married Caligula.[2][6] She died in 36[7] or early 37[8] but according to Philo, Silanus continued to treat Caligula as his own son.[9] In November or December of 37, Caligula had him executed for unclear reasons. Suetonius claims he plotted against Caligula[10] while Philo and other sources claim the emperor was simply annoyed by him.[1][9]

See also

Citations

  1. [1]
    Barrett (1989), p. 76
  2. [2]
    Barrett (1989), p. 32
  3. [3]
    Syme (1986), p.194–195
  4. [4]
    Syme (1986), p. 194
  5. [5]
    Ferrill (1991), p. 86
  6. [6]
    Garzetti (1974), p. 73
  7. [7]
    Ferrill (1991), p. 106
  8. [8]
    Garzetti (1974), p. 86
  9. [9]
    Philo, 65
  10. [10]
    Suetonius, 23.3

References

  • Barrett, Anthony A. (1989). Caligula: The Corruption of Power. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-04653-7.
  • Ferrill, Arther (1991) Caligula: Emperor of Rome. New York: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 0-500-25112-6.
  • Garzetti, Albino (1976) From Tiberius to the Antonines: A History of the Roman Empire from AD 12-192. London: Methuen & Co. LTD. ISBN 0-416-70480-8.
  • Suetonius, Life of Caligula
  • Syme, Ronald, The Augustan Aristocracy
  • Philo, On Embassy to Gaius
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