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Marcus Junius Silanus
Children Junia Silana
Junia Claudilla
Parents
  • Gaius Junius M. f. Silanus (father)
  • Atia M. f. (mother)
RelativesCaligula (son-in-law)
FamilyJunii 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

  1. ^ a b c Barrett (1989), p. 76
  2. ^ a b c d e f Barrett (1989), p. 32
  3. ^ a b Syme (1986), p.194–195
  4. ^ Syme (1986), p. 194
  5. ^ Ferrill (1991), p. 86
  6. ^ Garzetti (1974), p. 73
  7. ^ Ferrill (1991), p. 106
  8. ^ Garzetti (1974), p. 86
  9. ^ a b Philo, 65
  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

External links

Political offices
Preceded byas Ordinary consuls Suffect consul of the Roman Empire
15
with Drusus Julius Caesar
Succeeded byas Ordinary consuls