Marcus Plautius Silvanus
Marcus Plautius Silvanus was a Roman politician and general who was consul in 2 BC.
Biography [edit]
Silvanus was the son of Urgulania, a close friend of the empress Livia, and it was Livia's intercession that allowed Silvanus to climb the cursus honorum, leading to the consulate in 2 BC alongside Augustus.[1][2] He was then made proconsul of Asia in 4-5 AD,[3] followed by a posting as imperial legate in Galatia in 6 AD, where he was involved in suppressing the Isaurians.[4]
Whilst there, news broke of the Great Illyrian Revolt. In 7 AD Silvanus was summoned by Tiberius who was in charge of the military situation in Illyricum, ordering him to bring his troops to help suppress the revolt.[5] He joined up with Caecina Severus, the imperial legate of Moesia and fought a major battle against the rebels at Sirmium. The Roman forces were victorious, but suffered very heavy losses.[6] Silvanus remained at the head of his forces until 9 AD, during which time he served in Pannonia.[7] Dalmatia,[8] as well as Illyricum.[9]
Although serving under Tiberius for the duration of the revolt, Tiberius had some doubts concerning Silvanus, especially his close connection with Tiberius' mother Livia.[10]
Sources [edit]
- Syme, Ronald, The Roman Revolution, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1939.
References [edit]
- ^ Syme, pg. 422
- ^ Dio Cassius, Epitome of Roman History LV.0
- ^ Syme, pg. 435; Ronald Syme, The Augustan Aristocracy, Oxford University Press 1989, p. 340
- ^ Syme, pgs. 399 & 435
- ^ Syme, pgs. 399 & 436
- ^ Syme, pg. 399
- ^ Dio LV.34
- ^ Dio LVI.12
- ^ Velleius Paterculus II.112
- ^ Syme, pgs 422-423
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lucius Cornelius Lentulus and Marcus Valerius Messalla Messallinus |
Ordinary consul of the Roman Empire with Octavianus Augustus 2 BC |
Succeeded by Lucius Caninius Gallus (suffect) |
