Marcus Livius Drusus (consul) explained

Marcus Livius Drusus
Birth Date:155 BC[1]
Death Date:108 BC (aged 46–47)
Nationality:Roman
Office:Tribune of the plebs (122 BC)
Consul (112 BC)
Censor (109 BC)
Spouse:Cornelia
Children:Marcus Livius Drusus
Mamercus Aemilius Lepidus Livianus
Livia
Father:Gaius Livius Drusus

Marcus Livius Drusus (155–108 BC) was a Roman politician who served as consul in 112 BC. He was also governor of Macedonia and campaigned successfully in Thrace against the Scordisci.

Early life

Drusus was a son of Gaius Livius Drusus. He had a brother named Gaius Livius Drusus[2] and a sister named Livia.[3]

Tribunate

Drusus was set up as tribune of the plebs by the Senate in 122 BC to undermine Gaius Gracchus' land reform bills. To do this (according to the record of Appian), he proposed creating twelve colonies with 3,000 settlers each from the poorer classes, and relieving rent on property distributed since 133 BC. He also said the Latin allies should not be mistreated by Roman generals, which was the counteroffer to Gracchus' offer of full citizenship. These were known as the Leges Liviae, but they were never enacted, because the Senate simply wanted to draw support away from Gracchus.

Their plan was successful. Drusus had just enough popular support to justify his veto of Gracchus' bills.

Consulship and later career

Drusus was later consul in 112 BC and fought in Macedonia defeating the Scordisci, even pushing them out of Thrace across the Danube.

In 109 BC he was elected censor along with the elder Marcus Aemilius Scaurus. He died in office.

Family

Drusus was married to a Cornelia, they had three known children:

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: Sumner, G.V. . 1973 . The Orators in Cicero's Brutus: Prosopography and Chronology . University of Toronto Press . 64 . 0-8020-5281-9 . .
  2. Web site: 4 October 2010 . Gens: LIVIUS . strachan.dk.
  3. Book: Dennison, Matthew. Livia, Empress of Rome: A Biography. St. Martin's Publishing Group. 2011. 9781429989190.
  4. Book: Servilia and her Family. 40. 9780192564658. Treggiari. Susan. 3 January 2019. Oxford University Press .