Gaius Servilius Ahala facts for kids

A Denarius coin from 54 BC showing a portrait of Ahala. It was minted by Marcus Junius Brutus, who believed he was related to Ahala.

Gaius Servilius Ahala was an important person in ancient Rome around 439 BC. Many people in later times thought of him as a hero. His fame came from a story where he supposedly saved Rome from a man named Spurius Maelius in 439 BC. The story says Ahala stopped Maelius by using a small knife he had hidden. This story might be more of a legend than a true historical event. It might have been created to explain the family name "Ahala" or "Axilla," which means "armpit" and likely came from the Etruscan people.

Ahala's Role in Roman History

In 439 BC, Ahala served as a magister equitum. This was a special assistant to a dictator in ancient Rome. A dictator was a leader given full power during emergencies. At this time, Cincinnatus was chosen as dictator because people thought Spurius Maelius was trying to become a king and plot against the state.

The Confrontation with Spurius Maelius

On the night Cincinnatus became dictator, the Roman Capitol and other important places were guarded by supporters of the patricians. Patricians were the wealthy, powerful families in Rome. The next morning, people gathered in the forum, which was the main public space. Spurius Maelius was among them. Ahala called Maelius to come before the dictator. When Maelius refused and tried to hide in the crowd, Ahala quickly moved through the people and stopped him.

Ahala's Legacy and Reputation

Many writers from later times mentioned this event as a great example of Roman heroism. A famous Roman speaker named Cicero often praised Ahala's actions. However, at the time, some people saw it as a serious offense. Ahala was questioned for his actions and avoided punishment only by choosing to leave Rome. He went into voluntary exile.

Later Attempts to Punish Ahala

The historian Livy mentions that three years later, in 436 BC, another Spurius Maelius, who was a tribune (a Roman official who protected the common people), tried to pass a law. This law would have taken away all of Ahala's property. However, this attempt failed.

Connection to Marcus Junius Brutus

In 54 BC, a picture of Ahala was shown on a coin made by Marcus Junius Brutus. This Brutus was famous for being involved in the stopping of Julius Caesar. The image of Ahala on the coin was probably not a real likeness, but an imagined one. Brutus claimed he was related to two famous figures who had stopped powerful rulers: Lucius Junius Brutus, the first Roman consul, and Ahala, through his mother's family. This made him feel connected to a history of people who fought against tyranny.

Plutarch, another ancient writer, wrote in his book about Marcus Junius Brutus that Brutus' mother, Servilia, was a descendant of Servilius Ahala. This family connection and Ahala's story were said to have inspired Brutus in his actions against Julius Caesar.

Images for kids

• 

  A Denarius coin from 54 BC showing a portrait of Ahala. It was minted by Marcus Junius Brutus, who believed he was related to Ahala.