Marcus Junius Silanus
Encyclopedia
Marcus Junius D. f. D. n. Silanus was a member of the Junii Silani, a noble Roman family, who held the consulship
in 109 BC.
in the second half of the second century BC, we have to rely on suppositions, which public offices Silanus held before his consulate. In 145 BC he was perhaps a Münzmeister
(that is director of a mint). Besides he is probably identical with the tribune of the people
Marcus Junius D. f., who introduced in 124 or 123 BC a law against exploitative Roman governors (lex Iunia), which preceded the lex Acilia repetundarum of the tribune Manius Acilius Glabrio (123 or 122 BC). In 113 or 112 BC Silanus was perhaps praetor
in Spain.
In 109 BC Silanus achieved to become consul as the first member of his family, the Junii Silani. He held this highest public office together with Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus
, who had to continue the war against Jugurtha
, king of Numidia, whereas Silanus undertook to fight against the Cimbri
. To increase the power of Rome
Silanus abolished the exemptions from the military service. Probably before their battle with the consul the traveling Cimbri had asked to be given a domicile on Roman territory, but the Senate
had declined their request. Then Silanus rushed towards these people but he was defeated on a not exactly localized place in Gallia Transalpina.
In 104 BC the tribune of the people Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus accused Silanus of his military failure but the former consul was acquitted.
Roman consul
A consul served in the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic.Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague and the officials would alternate each month...
in 109 BC.
Biography
Because there are only few and short sources about the history of the Roman RepublicRoman 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...
in the second half of the second century BC, we have to rely on suppositions, which public offices Silanus held before his consulate. In 145 BC he was perhaps a Münzmeister
Münzmeister
In medieval and early modern Germany, the Münzmeister was the director or administrator of a mint, a moneyer with responsibility for the minting of coins, or specie. His duties were defined differently at different locations and ages.-Middle ages:The need for currency was relatively low during...
(that is director of a mint). Besides he is probably identical with the tribune of the people
Tribune
Tribune was a title shared by elected officials in the Roman Republic. Tribunes had the power to convene the Plebeian Council and to act as its president, which also gave them the right to propose legislation before it. They were sacrosanct, in the sense that any assault on their person was...
Marcus Junius D. f., who introduced in 124 or 123 BC a law against exploitative Roman governors (lex Iunia), which preceded the lex Acilia repetundarum of the tribune Manius Acilius Glabrio (123 or 122 BC). In 113 or 112 BC Silanus was perhaps praetor
Praetor
Praetor was a title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to men acting in one of two official capacities: the commander of an army, usually in the field, or the named commander before mustering the army; and an elected magistratus assigned varied duties...
in Spain.
In 109 BC Silanus achieved to become consul as the first member of his family, the Junii Silani. He held this highest public office together with Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus was the leader of the conservative faction of the Roman Senate and a bitter enemy of Gaius Marius....
, who had to continue the war against Jugurtha
Jugurtha
Jugurtha or Jugurthen was a King of Numidia, , born in Cirta .-Background:Until the reign of Jugurtha's grandfather Masinissa, the people of Numidia were semi-nomadic and indistinguishable from the other Libyans in North Africa...
, king of Numidia, whereas Silanus undertook to fight against the Cimbri
Cimbri
The Cimbri were a tribe from Northern Europe, who, together with the Teutones and the Ambrones threatened the Roman Republic in the late 2nd century BC. The Cimbri were probably Germanic, though some believe them to be of Celtic origin...
. To increase the power of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
Silanus abolished the exemptions from the military service. Probably before their battle with the consul the traveling Cimbri had asked to be given a domicile on Roman territory, but the Senate
Roman Senate
The Senate of the Roman Republic was a political institution in the ancient Roman Republic, however, it was not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the consuls, and later by the censors. After a magistrate served his term in office, it usually was followed with automatic...
had declined their request. Then Silanus rushed towards these people but he was defeated on a not exactly localized place in Gallia Transalpina.
In 104 BC the tribune of the people Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus accused Silanus of his military failure but the former consul was acquitted.