Lucius Roscius Aelianus Maecius Celer facts for kids
Lucius Roscius Aelianus Maecius Celer was an important Roman senator who lived in the second century AD. He served as a consul (a top government official) in November and December of the year 100 AD, alongside Tiberius Claudius Sacerdos Julianus. We know most about Celer from old stone carvings and writings called inscriptions.
Historians have discussed where Maecius Celer's family came from. Some experts think he might have been related to another consul from 101 AD, Marcus Maecius Celer. They might have been cousins, with a shared family connection through a famous Roman named Marcus Roscius Coelius.
It's also thought that a person named Lucius Roscius Celer, who served the emperor Hadrian, might have been the son or grandson of our Maecius Celer.
What Was His Job?
Celer's career path, known as his cursus honorum, is partly known from an inscription found in Tibur (modern-day Tivoli, Italy). This inscription was set up by his friend, Gaius Vecilius Probus.
Celer's journey in Roman politics began as one of the decemviri stlitibus iudicandis. This was a group of ten young men who helped with legal cases. It was a required first step for anyone wanting to join the Roman Senate.
Next, Celer became a military tribune in the Legio IX Hispana, a Roman army group stationed in Roman Britain. During a war in 83 AD, led by Emperor Domitian against a group called the Chatti, Celer led a part of his legion to Germany. For his bravery and efforts in this war, he received special military awards.
He officially joined the Senate when he became a quaestor for an emperor, possibly Domitian. After this, he held other traditional Roman government jobs: plebeian tribune and praetor. A historian named Ronald Syme believes Celer was a praetor between 90 and 94 AD, around the same time as the famous Roman writer Tacitus. After these roles, Celer became a consul.
The only known job Celer held after being a consul was serving as the governor of the Roman province of Africa. This was around 117 or 118 AD. We don't know what happened to him after this, or when he died.
