Lucius Gellius Publicola (consul 36 BCE)
Encyclopedia
Lucius Gellius Publicola was a consul
of the Roman Republic
. He was the son of Lucius Gellius Publicola
, the consul of 72 BC.
He was accused of committing incest
with his stepmother, and of conspiring against his father's life; but although the latter was nearly convinced of his guilt, he allowed him to plead his cause before a large number of senators, and, in consequence of their opinion, declared him innocent.
After the death of Caesar
in 44 BC, Gellius espoused the republican party, and went with Marcus Junius Brutus
to Asia. Here he was detected in plotting against the life of Brutus but was pardoned at the intercession of his half-brother, Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus
. Shortly afterwards he entered into a conspiracy to kill Gaius Cassius Longinus
, but again escaped unpunished, through the intercession of his mother Polla. It would hence appear that Polla had been divorced from her first husband Gellius, and had subsequently married Marcus Valerius Messalla.
Gellius, however, showed no gratitude for the leniency which had been shown him, but deserted to the triumvirs
, Augustus
and Mark Antony
. While in their service he had coins struck, on which he appears with the title of Q. P. that is, Quaestor
Propraetore
. He was rewarded for his treachery by the consulship in 36 BC. In the war between Octavian and Antony, he espoused the side of the latter, and commanded the right wing of Antony's fleet at the battle of Actium
. As he is not mentioned again, he probably perished in the action.
Consul
Consul was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire. The title was also used in other city states and also revived in modern states, notably in the First French Republic...
of the Roman Republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
. He was the son of Lucius Gellius Publicola
Lucius Gellius Publicola
Lucius Gellius Publicola was a Roman politician and general who was one of two Consuls of the Republic in 72 BC along with Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus...
, the consul of 72 BC.
He was accused of committing incest
Incest
Incest is sexual intercourse between close relatives that is usually illegal in the jurisdiction where it takes place and/or is conventionally considered a taboo. The term may apply to sexual activities between: individuals of close "blood relationship"; members of the same household; step...
with his stepmother, and of conspiring against his father's life; but although the latter was nearly convinced of his guilt, he allowed him to plead his cause before a large number of senators, and, in consequence of their opinion, declared him innocent.
After the death of Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
in 44 BC, Gellius espoused the republican party, and went with Marcus Junius Brutus
Marcus Junius Brutus
Marcus Junius Brutus , often referred to as Brutus, was a politician of the late Roman Republic. After being adopted by his uncle he used the name Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus, but eventually returned to using his original name...
to Asia. Here he was detected in plotting against the life of Brutus but was pardoned at the intercession of his half-brother, Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus
Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus
Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus was a Roman general, author and patron of literature and art.-Family:He was the son of politician Marcus Valerius Messalla Niger Although, some dispute his parentage and claim another descendant of Marcus Valerius Corvus to be his father.Messalla Corvinus is...
. Shortly afterwards he entered into a conspiracy to kill Gaius Cassius Longinus
Gaius Cassius Longinus
Gaius Cassius Longinus was a Roman senator, a leading instigator of the plot to kill Julius Caesar, and the brother in-law of Marcus Junius Brutus.-Early life:...
, but again escaped unpunished, through the intercession of his mother Polla. It would hence appear that Polla had been divorced from her first husband Gellius, and had subsequently married Marcus Valerius Messalla.
Gellius, however, showed no gratitude for the leniency which had been shown him, but deserted to the triumvirs
Second Triumvirate
The Second Triumvirate is the name historians give to the official political alliance of Octavius , Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony, formed on 26 November 43 BC with the enactment of the Lex Titia, the adoption of which marked the end of the Roman Republic...
, Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
and Mark Antony
Mark Antony
Marcus Antonius , known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and general. As a military commander and administrator, he was an important supporter and loyal friend of his mother's cousin Julius Caesar...
. While in their service he had coins struck, on which he appears with the title of Q. P. that is, Quaestor
Quaestor
A Quaestor was a type of public official in the "Cursus honorum" system who supervised financial affairs. In the Roman Republic a quaestor was an elected official whereas, with the autocratic government of the Roman Empire, quaestors were simply appointed....
Propraetore
Promagistrate
A promagistrate is a person who acts in and with the authority and capacity of a magistrate, but without holding a magisterial office. A legal innovation of the Roman Republic, the promagistracy was invented in order to provide Rome with governors of overseas territories instead of having to elect...
. He was rewarded for his treachery by the consulship in 36 BC. In the war between Octavian and Antony, he espoused the side of the latter, and commanded the right wing of Antony's fleet at the battle of Actium
Battle of Actium
The Battle of Actium was the decisive confrontation of the Final War of the Roman Republic. It was fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII. The battle took place on 2 September 31 BC, on the Ionian Sea near the city of Actium, at the Roman...
. As he is not mentioned again, he probably perished in the action.