Marcus Junius Silanus (consul 15)
Marcus Junius Silanus | |
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Children | Junia Silana Junia Claudilla |
Parents |
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Relatives | Caligula (son-in-law) |
Family | Junii Silani |
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]
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
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
External links
- Life of Caligula by Suetonius (Loeb Classical Library translation)
- Life of Caligula by Suetonius (Alexander Thomson translation)
- On Embassy to Gaius by Philo
- Caligula Caligula - A collection of ancient texts regarding Caligula and the time period in which Marcus Silanus lived.
- The Augustan Aristocracy - Limited Preview in GoogleBooks