Gnaeus Octavius (consul 87 BC) facts for kids

Gnaeus Octavius was an important Roman senator who lived a long time ago. He became a consul (one of the two highest leaders) of the Roman Republic in 87 BC, sharing the role with another senator named Lucius Cornelius Cinna. Sadly, Gnaeus Octavius died during a time of great trouble when Cinna and another famous Roman, Gaius Marius, took control of Rome.

Early Life and Political Journey

Gnaeus Octavius belonged to the Octavia family, which was a well-known Roman family. His father, also named Gnaeus Octavius, was a consul in 128 BC. His uncle, Marcus Octavius, was famous for opposing some new laws proposed by Tiberius Gracchus in 133 BC. Gnaeus Octavius was also a distant cousin to Gaius Octavius, who was the father of the future Roman emperor, Augustus.

Even though he didn't get elected as an aedile (an official in charge of public buildings and games), Gnaeus Octavius became a praetor (a high-ranking judge) around 90 BC. The next year, in 89 BC, he was sent to lead a Roman province in the east as a propraetor (a former praetor acting as a governor).

In 88 BC, he returned to Rome and was chosen to be a consul for the next year, 87 BC. Before starting his consulship, he and his fellow consul, Lucius Cornelius Cinna, had to promise to support the changes made by the current consul, Sulla. They also promised not to take away Sulla's command in the war against King Mithridates. Gnaeus Octavius was a very religious man and kept his promise.

Octavius didn't naturally support Sulla. He didn't like that Sulla had marched his army into Rome, and he also disagreed with Sulla's personal fight against Gaius Marius, which led to Marius being sent away from Rome. However, Octavius was a conservative senator, meaning he wanted to keep old traditions and laws. He didn't trust Cinna's ideas, which were popular with many ordinary people.

These political differences caused the two consuls to argue almost immediately in 87 BC. Cinna wanted to give new citizens (people from other parts of Italy who had recently gained Roman citizenship) the right to vote in all Roman tribes. He also wanted to bring back Marius and his supporters who had been exiled. Octavius strongly disagreed with these ideas and spoke against them in the Senate with great passion.

Because Gnaeus Octavius was very interested in soothsayers (people who predict the future), some historians believe he was part of a group of priests called the decemviri sacris faciundis. These priests were in charge of the Sibylline Books, which were ancient books of prophecies.

Clash with Cinna

The disagreements became very serious when the Plebeian tribunes (officials who protected the rights of ordinary people) who supported Octavius blocked Cinna's new laws in the Tribal Assembly (a meeting where citizens voted). Cinna and his supporters started using violence to try and force the tribunes to change their minds. This led to a huge riot in the Roman Forum, the main public square in Rome.

Octavius quickly gathered his own armed supporters and attacked Cinna, who was forced to run away from the city. Sadly, during this fight, many new citizens were killed by Octavius' supporters. Octavius used his power as consul to justify these killings.

After Cinna fled, Octavius illegally removed him from his consulship and took away his Roman citizenship. He then had another senator, Lucius Cornelius Merula, elected as consul instead. When Octavius heard that Cinna had gained the support of an army near Nola, Octavius and the Senate began preparing Rome for a siege. They also sent messages to other Roman commanders, asking for their help. Pompeius Strabo, another important general, was at first unwilling to help Octavius. But eventually, he moved his troops close to Rome, just outside the Colline Gate.

When Cinna and Marius began their siege of Rome, Strabo, who was trying to play both sides, tried to convince Octavius to talk with Cinna. The forces of Marius attacked and took control of the Janiculum hill, but Octavius and Strabo fought back and pushed them away. However, Octavius' army suffered heavy losses. These losses, along with the sudden death of Strabo soon after, made Octavius' army lose hope. Octavius lost 6,000 soldiers in the battle, and Strabo had lost about 11,000, both from fighting and from a disease that was spreading through his army.

Because people in Rome feared there would not be enough food, Octavius joined his men with Strabo's remaining troops, who were positioned outside the city gates. After this, Octavius fled from Rome.

He met up with Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius and Publius Licinius Crassus (who had finally answered Octavius' call for help) in the Alban Hills. Octavius was very upset when they started to negotiate with Cinna, even recognizing Cinna as a consul again. Fearing what would happen next, and hearing that the Senate in Rome was also thinking about making peace with Cinna, Octavius argued with Metellus Pius. Metellus Pius had at first refused his soldiers' demands that he take command from Octavius. The army's clear disloyalty finally convinced Octavius to return to Rome.

Death and Legacy

Even though he tried to continue fighting against Cinna, Octavius could not stop the Senate from making peace with Cinna. Cinna then entered Rome as consul. Although Cinna vaguely promised that Octavius would not be harmed, a group of his friends convinced Octavius to leave the Roman Forum and go to the Janiculum hill. He stayed there as consul, protesting against Cinna's return, with only a few nobles and a small group of soldiers.

When Gaius Marcius Censorinus and a small group of cavalry soldiers stormed the Janiculum, Octavius refused to escape. He was captured, and sadly killed by Censorinus, who then displayed his head in the Roman Forum.

People said that Octavius always stuck to his strong beliefs in politics and was known for being very honest. Plutarch, a famous ancient writer, described Gnaeus Octavius' character as "reputable" (meaning respected and honorable). However, he was also slow to act, which contributed to his final defeat against Cinna. Gnaeus Octavius had at least one son, Lucius Octavius, who became a consul in 75 BC.

See also

• Octavia gens