Mark Valery Levin (praetor)

Mark Valery belonged to one of the most notorious patrician families of Rome, whose legendary ancestor was a Sabinian and moved to Rome with Romulus co-ruler Titus Tatsy ^[1] . Cognomen Levin ( Laevinus ) is first mentioned in sources in connection with the events of 501 BC. e .; its origin is unknown ^[2] . The father of Mark Valery, who bore the same name , was consul in 210 BC. e. and supposedly came from Publius Valery Levin , consul of 280 BC. e., in the second generation and from Guy Valery Potit , consul 331 BC e., in the third ^{[3] [4] [5]} .

The brothers of Mark Jr. were Publius (he is mentioned only in connection with the funeral games) and Guy ( consul-suffix of 176 BC). It is known that the youngest of them was born from the marriage of his father with the widow of Mark Fulvius Nobilior; two elders could have the same mother or another — the hypothetical first wife of Mark Levin Sr. ^[6] .

Mark Terence Varron in his “Human Affairs” mentions a certain Mark Levin , who, during his edilitet, was brought by a private person to the court for praetor ^[7] . Perhaps we are talking about the future praetor of 182 BC. e., but there is also a version in favor of his father; in any case, there are no exact dates, as well as information on what the reasons for the trial were ^{[8] [9]} .

The first reliable testimony of Mark Valeria in surviving sources dates back to 182 BC. e., when he served as praetor . According to the results of the draw, he had the right to preside in a court where litigation between the Romans and foreigners was considered (this was the position of praetor peregrinus ) ^{[10] [11]} . In 181 BC e. Levin was a legate in the army of Lucius Emilius Paul (later of Macedon ), who fought with the ligurs - the Ingauns ^[12] . It is known that when the enemy besieged the Romans in their camp, Mark Valery led a sortie of selected troops from the front gate ^[13] ; the battle ended with the complete victory of the Romans, after which the Ingauns surrendered. In 171 BC e. Levin participated in the Third Macedonian War under the command of the consul Publius Licinius Crassus ^[14] . In particular, in the battle of Kallinikos, he commanded the cavalry and light infantry of the Greek allies, standing on the left flank. These formations took flight during the first attack of the Macedonians, because of which the Romans lost the battle ^{[15] [9]} .

After these events, Mark Valery is no longer mentioned in the sources ^[9] .

Sources

1. Aulus Gellius. Attic nights. Books 11-20. - SPb. : Publishing Center "Humanitarian Academy", 2008. - 448 p. - ISBN 978-5-93762-056-9 .
2. Titus Livy. The history of Rome from the foundation of the city. - M .: Nauka, 1994 .-- T. 3 .-- 768 p. - ISBN 5-02-008959-1 .

Literature

1. Broughton R. Magistrates of the Roman Republic. - New York, 1951. - Vol. I. - P. 600.
2. Volkmann H. Valerius 89 // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1948. - Bd. VII A, 1. - Kol. 2311.
3. Volkmann H. Valerii Laevini // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1955. - Bd. VIII A, 1. - Kol. 43.
4. Volkmann H. Valerius 209 // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1955. - Bd. VIII A, 1. - Kol. 45.
5. Volkmann H. Valerius 210 // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1955. - Bd. VIII A, 1. - Kol. 45.
6. Volkmann H. Valerius 211 // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1955. - Bd. VIII A, 1. - Kol. 45-49.
7. Volkmann H. Valerius 213 // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1955. - Bd. VIII A, 1. - Kol. 50-51.
8. Volkmann H. Valerius 215 // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1955. - Bd. VIII A, 1. - Kol. 51.