Lucius Licinius Crassus

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L. Licinius L. f. C. n. Crassus was born {{-140}}.<ref>Cicero, '''''Brutus''''' 161.</ref>  He was a member of an illustrious ''[[gens]]'' and family, and may have been the grandson of the consular [[Gaius Licinius Crassus|C. Licinius C. f. P. n. Crassus]]; his father, however, appears not to have achieved any major magistracy, and L. Crassus built his public career not only on ancestry but also on oratory.
 
L. Licinius L. f. C. n. Crassus was born {{-140}}.<ref>Cicero, '''''Brutus''''' 161.</ref>  He was a member of an illustrious ''[[gens]]'' and family, and may have been the grandson of the consular [[Gaius Licinius Crassus|C. Licinius C. f. P. n. Crassus]]; his father, however, appears not to have achieved any major magistracy, and L. Crassus built his public career not only on ancestry but also on oratory.
  
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His first notable accomplishment as an orator was his prosecution of [[Gaius Papirius Carbo|C. Papirius Carbo]], apparently {{-119}} just after Carbo's consulate.  Carbo had been an associate of [[Gaius Sempronius Gracchus|C. Sempronius Gracchus]] but distanced himself from Gracchus after the latter's death and even defended his killer in court.<ref>For details and sources see [[Gaius Papirius Carbo|Carbo's biography]].</ref>  The charge on which Carbo was prosecuted is unknown; in the circumstances the prosecution was probably politically motivated, and in view of Carbo's changing allegiances it is difficult to say for certain whether it was driven by the supporters of Gracchus (in revenge for his desertion of their cause) or by the conservative aristocracy (as a continuation of the anti-Gracchan backlash).  In view of Crassus' later political allegiances, the latter may be more likely.  In any case, Carbo anticipated conviction and killed himself, and the prosecution evidently established Crassus as a rising star of the law-courts.<ref>Carbo's suicide: Cicero, '''''Brutus''''', 103.  Valerius Maximus, a less reliable source, says Carbo went into exile (3.7.6).  On the trial's importance for Crassus' career, Cicero says, "''Accusavit C. Carbonem eloquentissimum hominem admodum adulescens; summam ingeni non laudem modo sed etiam admirationem est consecutus.''" ("He prosecuted C. Carbo, an excellent speaker, when he was only a boy; thus he achieved not only the highest praise but also applause for his abilities.") ('''''Brutus''''', 159).</ref>  It is not known how far, if at all, the trial had progressed before Carbo gave up hope, and his despair may have been prompted as much by the power of his political enemies as by the rhetorical powers of his accuser; nonetheless, Crassus, only 21 years old, had defeated a consular who was also a very distinguished orator, and Cicero identifies this as the case which brought him to prominence.<ref>Carbo's oratorical reputation: Cicero, "''Hic optimus illis temporibus est patronus habitus''" ("He was held the best advocate of those times") ('''''Brutus''''', 106); Carbo is also listed among famous orators of the period by Velleius Paterculus, 2.9.1.  For Cicero's comment on the case's role in Crassus' career, see the previous note.</ref>
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His first notable accomplishment as an orator was his prosecution of [[Gaius Papirius Carbo|C. Papirius Carbo]], apparently {{-119}} just after Carbo's consulate.  Carbo had been an associate of [[Gaius Sempronius Gracchus|C. Sempronius Gracchus]] but distanced himself from Gracchus after the latter's death and even defended his killer in court.<ref>For details and sources see [[Gaius Papirius Carbo|Carbo's biography]].</ref>  The charge on which Carbo was prosecuted is unknown; in the circumstances the prosecution was probably politically motivated, and in view of Carbo's changing allegiances it is difficult to say for certain whether it was driven by the supporters of Gracchus (in revenge for his desertion of their cause) or by the conservative aristocracy (as a continuation of the anti-Gracchan backlash).  In view of Crassus' later political allegiances, the latter may be more likely.  In any case, Carbo anticipated conviction and killed himself, and the prosecution evidently established Crassus as a rising star of the law-courts.<ref>Carbo's suicide: Cicero, '''''Brutus''''', 103.  Valerius Maximus, a less reliable source, says Carbo went into exile (3.7.6).  On the trial's importance for Crassus' career, Cicero says, "''Accusavit C. Carbonem eloquentissimum hominem admodum adulescens; summam ingeni non laudem modo sed etiam admirationem est consecutus.''" ("He prosecuted C. Carbo, an excellent speaker, when he was only a boy; thus he achieved not only the highest praise but also applause for his abilities.") ('''''Brutus''''', 159).</ref>  It is not known how far, if at all, the trial had progressed before Carbo gave up hope, and his despair may have been prompted as much by the political power of his enemies as by the rhetorical powers of his accuser; nonetheless, Crassus, only 21 years old, had defeated a consular who was also a very distinguished orator, and Cicero identifies this as the case which brought him to prominence.<ref>Carbo's oratorical reputation: Cicero, "''Hic optimus illis temporibus est patronus habitus''" ("He was held the best advocate of those times") ('''''Brutus''''', 106); Carbo is also listed among famous orators of the period by Velleius Paterculus, 2.9.1.  For Cicero's comment on the case's role in Crassus' career, see the previous note.</ref>
  
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The next of Crassus' exploits which claimed the attention of history came {{-114}} when Crassus was 26.<ref>There is a minor chronological problem here.  The year {{-114}} is clearly established by the Epitome of Livy, 63.4, and by Iulius Obsequens, 37, as the date of these trials.  The wording of both sources indicates that the whole process was completed by the end of the year.  Moreover, Marcobius, '''''Saturnalia''''', 1.10.5, citing Fenestella, says that the penalty against Aemilia was handed down {{Dec 18}}.  However, Cicero, '''''Brutus''''', 160, says that Crassus was 27 at the time.  Given that he was born {{-140}}, Crassus would have been 26 at the end of the year {{-114}}.  On balance the most likely explanation is that Cicero, or one of his transcribers, has accidentally added a numeral I to Crassus' age in '''''Brutus''''' 160, and that the date of {{-114}} for the trials is correct.</ref>  Earlier in the year a young woman named Helvia, the daughter of a Roman ''eques'', had been struck by lightning and was found lying dead in such a shocking state that it was regarded as a fearful portent.<ref>The state of the body is described in detail (and in very similar terms) by Plutarch, '''''Quaestiones Romanae''''', 83, by Iulius Obsequens, 37, and by Orosius, 5.20.  Obsequens names her father P. Elvius, while Orosius calls him L. Helvius.</ref>  It was interpreted as foretelling a disgrace for virgins and for the equestrian class.<ref>Obsequens' use of the word "''responsum''" shows that some religious authorities were formally consulted about the meaning of the portent and gave a formal answer; no source, however, identifies which authorities were consulted.  Rasmussen, S.W., '''Public Portents In Republican Rome''' (Analecta Romana Instituti Danici Supplementum XXXIV, 2003), p.94, indicates that it was the ''[[Decemvir sacris faciundis|decemviri sacris faciundis]]'', but she appears to be conflating this with the later consultation which came after the trials.  Plutarch, '''''Quaestiones Romanae''''', 83, makes it clear that there was a first consultation, of "soothsayers", after the death of Helvia and a second, of the ''decemviri'', after the trials.  The gist of the ''responsum'' is given by Plutarch in the same passage, and also (perhaps verbatim) by Iulius Obsequens, 37: "''Responsum infamiam virginibus et equestri ordini portendi''" ("[It was] answered that it presaged a scandal for the virgins and for the equestrian class").</ref>
  
  
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==[[Cursus honorum|''Cursus honorum'']]<ref>For sources see Broughton, T.R.S., '''The Magistrates Of The Roman Republic''' (1951, American Philological Association)</ref>==
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==[[Cursus honorum|''Cursus honorum'']]<ref>For sources see Broughton, T.R.S., '''The Magistrates Of The Roman Republic''' (American Philological Association, 1951)</ref>==
  
 
* [[Triumvir|''Triumvir coloniae deducendae'']]
 
* [[Triumvir|''Triumvir coloniae deducendae'']]

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L. Licinius L. f. C. n. Crassus was born C. Laelio Q. Caepione cos.‡ (DCXIV a.u.c.).[1] He was a member of an illustrious gens and family, and may have been the grandson of the consular C. Licinius C. f. P. n. Crassus; his father, however, appears not to have achieved any major magistracy, and L. Crassus built his public career not only on ancestry but also on oratory.

His first notable accomplishment as an orator was his prosecution of C. Papirius Carbo, apparently L. Metello L. Cotta cos.‡ (DCXXXV a.u.c.) just after Carbo's consulate. Carbo had been an associate of C. Sempronius Gracchus but distanced himself from Gracchus after the latter's death and even defended his killer in court.[2] The charge on which Carbo was prosecuted is unknown; in the circumstances the prosecution was probably politically motivated, and in view of Carbo's changing allegiances it is difficult to say for certain whether it was driven by the supporters of Gracchus (in revenge for his desertion of their cause) or by the conservative aristocracy (as a continuation of the anti-Gracchan backlash). In view of Crassus' later political allegiances, the latter may be more likely. In any case, Carbo anticipated conviction and killed himself, and the prosecution evidently established Crassus as a rising star of the law-courts.[3] It is not known how far, if at all, the trial had progressed before Carbo gave up hope, and his despair may have been prompted as much by the political power of his enemies as by the rhetorical powers of his accuser; nonetheless, Crassus, only 21 years old, had defeated a consular who was also a very distinguished orator, and Cicero identifies this as the case which brought him to prominence.[4]

The next of Crassus' exploits which claimed the attention of history came M'. Balbo C. Catone cos.‡ (DCXL a.u.c.) when Crassus was 26.[5] Earlier in the year a young woman named Helvia, the daughter of a Roman eques, had been struck by lightning and was found lying dead in such a shocking state that it was regarded as a fearful portent.[6] It was interpreted as foretelling a disgrace for virgins and for the equestrian class.[7]


Cursus honorum[8]

M. Catone Q. Rege cos.‡ (DCXXXVI a.u.c.)
by Q. Metello M. Silano cos.‡ (DCXLV a.u.c.)
L. Longino C. Mario cos.‡ (DCXLVII a.u.c.)
by C. Mario (VI) L. Flacco cos.‡ (DCLIV a.u.c.)
by Q. Metello T. Didio cos.‡ (DCLVI a.u.c.)
L. Crasso Q. Scaevola cos.‡ (DCLIX a.u.c.)
C. Caldo L. Ahenobarbo cos.‡ (DCLX a.u.c.) (perhaps Gallia Cisalpina)
C. Pulchro M. Perperna cos.‡ (DCLXII a.u.c.)
L. Philippo Sex. Caesare cos.‡ (DCLXIII a.u.c.)
from unknown date
to L. Philippo Sex. Caesare cos.‡ (DCLXIII a.u.c.)

References

  1. ↑ Cicero, Brutus 161.
  2. ↑ For details and sources see Carbo's biography.
  3. ↑ Carbo's suicide: Cicero, Brutus, 103. Valerius Maximus, a less reliable source, says Carbo went into exile (3.7.6). On the trial's importance for Crassus' career, Cicero says, "Accusavit C. Carbonem eloquentissimum hominem admodum adulescens; summam ingeni non laudem modo sed etiam admirationem est consecutus." ("He prosecuted C. Carbo, an excellent speaker, when he was only a boy; thus he achieved not only the highest praise but also applause for his abilities.") (Brutus, 159).
  4. ↑ Carbo's oratorical reputation: Cicero, "Hic optimus illis temporibus est patronus habitus" ("He was held the best advocate of those times") (Brutus, 106); Carbo is also listed among famous orators of the period by Velleius Paterculus, 2.9.1. For Cicero's comment on the case's role in Crassus' career, see the previous note.
  5. ↑ There is a minor chronological problem here. The year M'. Balbo C. Catone cos.‡ (DCXL a.u.c.) is clearly established by the Epitome of Livy, 63.4, and by Iulius Obsequens, 37, as the date of these trials. The wording of both sources indicates that the whole process was completed by the end of the year. Moreover, Marcobius, Saturnalia, 1.10.5, citing Fenestella, says that the penalty against Aemilia was handed down a.d. XV Kal. Ian. ‡. However, Cicero, Brutus, 160, says that Crassus was 27 at the time. Given that he was born C. Laelio Q. Caepione cos.‡ (DCXIV a.u.c.), Crassus would have been 26 at the end of the year M'. Balbo C. Catone cos.‡ (DCXL a.u.c.). On balance the most likely explanation is that Cicero, or one of his transcribers, has accidentally added a numeral I to Crassus' age in Brutus 160, and that the date of M'. Balbo C. Catone cos.‡ (DCXL a.u.c.) for the trials is correct.
  6. ↑ The state of the body is described in detail (and in very similar terms) by Plutarch, Quaestiones Romanae, 83, by Iulius Obsequens, 37, and by Orosius, 5.20. Obsequens names her father P. Elvius, while Orosius calls him L. Helvius.
  7. ↑ Obsequens' use of the word "responsum" shows that some religious authorities were formally consulted about the meaning of the portent and gave a formal answer; no source, however, identifies which authorities were consulted. Rasmussen, S.W., Public Portents In Republican Rome (Analecta Romana Instituti Danici Supplementum XXXIV, 2003), p.94, indicates that it was the decemviri sacris faciundis, but she appears to be conflating this with the later consultation which came after the trials. Plutarch, Quaestiones Romanae, 83, makes it clear that there was a first consultation, of "soothsayers", after the death of Helvia and a second, of the decemviri, after the trials. The gist of the responsum is given by Plutarch in the same passage, and also (perhaps verbatim) by Iulius Obsequens, 37: "Responsum infamiam virginibus et equestri ordini portendi" ("[It was] answered that it presaged a scandal for the virgins and for the equestrian class").
  8. ↑ For sources see Broughton, T.R.S., The Magistrates Of The Roman Republic (American Philological Association, 1951)


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