Lucius Marcius Tsensorin (Consul 149 BC)

Lucius came from a plebeian clan Marciev , whose representatives began to occupy top positions immediately after admission of the plebeians to the consulate . Their ancestor was considered one of the Roman kings Ankh Marcius ^[1] , who, in turn, by his mother was the grandson of Numa Pompilius . Some ancient genealogists tried to keep this family from one of the sons of Numa ^[2] and insisted on its connection with the god of war Mars ^[3] .

Lucius Marcius was a descendant of the first censor of Plebay and the only double censor of Guy Marcius Rutile , who was nicknamed Censorine , which became a cognomen . Nothing is known about the intermediate links of the pedigree ^[4], except that Lucie’s father and grandfather wore Guy’s premenomenon ^[5] .

Presumably, it is Tsensorin who are referring to the sources, speaking of the curule edil of Lucius Marcius , who, together with his colleague Quintus Fulvius ( Nobilior ), organized the third performance of the “Mother-in-law” Terence . This event, researchers date around 160 BC. er or one of several subsequent years (up to 156 BC, inclusive) ^[6] . Nothing is known about the preture of Lucius Marcius ^[6] ; meanwhile, it was a mandatory stage of a political career, and in accordance with the law, Willia should have passed no later than three years before the consulate, that is, in this case no later than 152 BC. er

Consul Cenzorin became in 149 BC. e., along with another plebeian - Mania Manilius . At this time there was a radical aggravation of relations with Carthage, and both consuls received orders from the Senate to be sent to Africa (secretly they were told not to cease hostilities until they destroyed Carthage). Lucius Marcius received command of the fleet, while his colleague led the army ^[7] . Having landed in Utica , the consuls demanded that the Carthaginian ambassadors should issue all weapons and three hundred hostages, and when these requirements were met, they ordered the whole city to move to another place no closer than 10 miles from the sea. Then Carthage began to prepare for defense ^[8] .

The consuls did not know anything about this preparation and believed that in any case the enemy would not be able to offer them serious resistance. After waiting for some time, they moved their troops to Carthage, but were repulsed and moved to the siege. Subsequent events showed complete incompetence of both consuls in military matters: the Carthaginians invariably took the upper hand in the clashes, the Roman army suffered heavy losses in the battles and the epidemic, and great defeats were avoided thanks to the only capable officer, Publius Cornelius Scipio Emilian . Finally, in the summer of 148 BC. er Lucius Martius left Africa for Rome ^[9] .

Despite this setback, in 147 BC. er Lucius Marcius reached the top of his career - censor positions. His colleague was the patrician Lucius Cornelius Lentul Loop ^[10] .

The son of Lucius Marcius was Guy Marcius Censorin, father of Lucius , monetarist in 82 BC. e., and Guy , a prominent leader of the Marian "party" ^[4] .

Lucius Martius Tsensorin was dedicated to one of the philosophical works of the poet Lutsilii ^[11] .

Sources

1. Appian. Roman history. - M .: Ladomir, 2002. - 880 p. - ISBN 5-86218-174-1 .
2. Capitoline Fasts (Unsolved) . The site "History of Ancient Rome." The appeal date is April 8, 2017.
3. Plutarch . Comparative biographies. - M . : Science, 1994. - ISBN 5-02-011570-3 , 5-02-011568-1.
4. Guy Suetonius Tranquill . Life of the Twelve Caesars // Suetonius. Lords of Rome. - M .: Ladomir, 1999. - P. 12-281. - ISBN 5-86218-365-5 .
5. Mark Tullius Cicero. Academician (Neopr.) . The site "History of Ancient Rome." The appeal date is April 8, 2017.

Literature

1. Rodionov E. Punic Wars. - SPb. : SPSU, 2005. - 626 p. - ISBN 5-288-03650-0 .
2. Broughton R. Magistrates of the Roman Republic. - New York, 1951. - Vol. I. - P. 600.
3. Münzer F. Marcius // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1930. - Bd. Iv. - S. 1535-1540.
4. Münzer F. Marcius 46 // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1930. - Bd. Iv. - S. 1552-1554.

• Lucius Marcius Tsensorin (consul 149 BC) (English) . - in Smith 's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.