Gaius Marcius Rutilus
Gaius Marcius Rutilus (also seen as "Rutulus") was the first plebeian dictator and censor of ancient Rome, and was consul four times.
He was first elected consul in 357 BC, then appointed as dictator the following year in order to deal with an invasion by the Etruscans which had reached as far as the ancient salt-works on the coast. He surprised the enemy's camp, captured 8,000 of the enemy and drove the rest out of Roman territory,[1] for which he was granted a triumph by the people, against the Senate's wishes.[1]
Rutilus was again elected consul in 352 BC. At the end of his term, he ran for censor and won, despite patrician opposition. He was also consul in 344 BC and 342 BC, when he led the army in the Samnite Wars.
His son of the same name was tribune of the plebs in 311 BC and consul in 310 BC.[2] According to Fergus Millar, this son was one of the first plebeian augurs under the lex Ogulnia and also held the position of censor twice, the first time in 294 BC and the second time in 265 BC.[3]
Sources
- Livy. History of Rome, Book VII
References
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Gaius Fabius Ambustus and Gaius Plautius Proculus | Consul of the Roman Republic with Gnaeus Manlius Capitolinus Imperiosus 357 BC | Succeeded by Marcus Fabius Ambustus and Marcus Popillius Laenas |
Preceded by Gaius Sulpicius Peticus and Marcus Valerius Poplicola | Consul of the Roman Republic with Publius Valerius Poplicola 352 BC | Succeeded by |
Preceded by Marcus Fabius Dorsuo and Servius Sulpicius Camerinus Rufus | Consul of the Roman Republic with Titus Manlius Imperiosus Torquatus 344 BC | Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Consul of the Roman Republic with Quintus Servilius Ahala 342 BC | Succeeded by |