Marcus Junius Silanus (consul 15)

Roman senator and consul (c.26 BC-37 AD)

Marcus Junius Silanus

Children| Junia Silana
Junia Claudilla
Parents|

* Gaius Junius M. f. Silanus (father)
* Atia M. f. (mother)

Relatives| Caligula (son-in-law)
Family| Junii Silani

Marcus Junius C. f. M. n. Silanus (c. 26 BC - AD 37)[1] was an Ancient Roman senator who became suffect consul in AD 15.[2] His daughter Junia Claudilla was the first wife of Emperor Caligula.[2]

## Biography

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### Early life

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Marcus' father was Gaius Junius Silanus who was the son of Marcus Junius Silanus, the consul of 25 BC.[3] Marcus had two brothers Decimus Junius Silanus and Gaius Junius Silanus, and a sister named Junia Torquata. Decimus was banished for having an affair with Vipsania Julia during the reign of Augustus.[2][3] Their mother may have been an Atia, daughter of Marcus Atius Balbus and Claudia. Balbus was the uncle of emperor Augustus.[4]

### Political career

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Ancient historians considered Marcus Silanus a highly respected man. When Tiberius came to power, if a judicial decision made by Silanus was appealed to the emperor, Tiberius invariably rejected the appeal, trusting Silanus' decision, and Tiberius would send the case back to him.[2][5] He also had the honour of casting the first vote in the Senate.[1] Silanus successfully persuaded Tiberius to recall the banishment of his brother Decimus.[2]

### Family

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Silanus had at least two daughters, Junia Silana and Junia Claudilla. In 33, his daughter Junia Claudilla married Caligula.[2][6] She died in 36[7] or early 37[8] but according to Philo, Silanus continued to treat Caligula as his own son.[9] In November or December of 37, Caligula had him executed for unclear reasons. Suetonius claims he plotted against Caligula[10] while Philo and other sources claim the emperor was simply annoyed by him.[1][9]

## See also

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* Junia gens

## Citations

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1. ^ a b c Barrett (1989), p. 76
2. ^ a b c d e f Barrett (1989), p. 32
3. ^ a b Syme (1986), p.194–195
4. ^ Syme (1986), p. 194
5. ^ Ferrill (1991), p. 86
6. ^ Garzetti (1974), p. 73
7. ^ Ferrill (1991), p. 106
8. ^ Garzetti (1974), p. 86
9. ^ a b Philo, 65
10. ^ Suetonius, 23.3

## References

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* Barrett, Anthony A. (1989). Caligula: The Corruption of Power. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-04653-7.
* Ferrill, Arther (1991) Caligula: Emperor of Rome. New York: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 0-500-25112-6.
* Garzetti, Albino (1976) From Tiberius to the Antonines: A History of the Roman Empire from AD 12-192. London: Methuen & Co. LTD. ISBN 0-416-70480-8.
* Suetonius, Life of Caligula
* Syme, Ronald, The Augustan Aristocracy
* Philo, On Embassy to Gaius

## External links

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* Life of Caligula by Suetonius (Loeb Classical Library translation)
* Life of Caligula by Suetonius (Alexander Thomson translation)
* On Embassy to Gaius by Philo
* Caligula Caligula - A collection of ancient texts regarding Caligula and the time period in which Marcus Silanus lived.
* The Augustan Aristocracy - Limited Preview in GoogleBooks

Political offices

Preceded by

Sextus Pompeius,
and Sextus Appuleius

as Ordinary consuls  |  Suffect consul of the Roman Empire

with Drusus Julius Caesar | Succeeded by

Sisenna Statilius Taurus,
and Lucius Scribonius Libo

as Ordinary consuls