Marcus Aemilius Scaurus (consul 115 BC) facts for kids

Marcus Aemilius Scaurus (born around 159 BC – died around 89 BC) was an important Roman leader. He served as a consul in 115 BC. A consul was one of the two highest elected officials in the Roman Republic.

Scaurus was also the princeps senatus, which means "leader of the Senate." He held this very important position from 115 BC until he died. This made him one of the most respected and powerful politicians in the late Roman Republic. After his time as consul, Scaurus wrote his life story, called De vita sua. This was probably the first autobiography ever written in Roman history!

Who Was His Family?

Scaurus was born around 161 BC into the famous Aemilia family. This was one of the most successful noble families in ancient Rome. Even though they were a noble family, the Scaurus branch of the Aemilii wasn't as famous as other parts of the family.

It's believed that Scaurus's father, also named Marcus, might have been a charcoal merchant. Scaurus wrote in his autobiography that he only inherited a small amount of money and six slaves from his father. He even wondered if he should become a banker or a politician! The famous Roman speaker Cicero said that Scaurus was quite poor and "had to work his way up" in Roman society, just like someone from a common family.

Scaurus's Journey to Power

Early Steps in Politics

We don't know much about Scaurus's early life. He started as a common soldier in Spain, where Rome fought many long wars. Some historians think he might have served under a famous general named Scipio Aemilianus. This experience in the army might have convinced Scaurus to get involved in politics.

Later, Scaurus worked in Sardinia with Lucius Aurelius Orestes, who was a consul. During this time, he became an opponent of Gaius Gracchus, another important Roman figure. Scaurus might have been upset by Gracchus's success in getting supplies from the local people.

In 123 BC, Scaurus became a member of the college of augurs. These were religious officials who interpreted signs from the gods. The next year, in 122 BC, he became a curule aedile, which meant he was in charge of public games. After that, he was elected praetor in 120 or 119 BC. A praetor was a high-ranking judge or military commander.

In 119 BC, Scaurus disagreed with Gaius Marius about a new voting law. He also opposed Jugurtha's claim to be king of Numidia, a kingdom in North Africa.

Becoming Consul

Scaurus tried to become consul in 116 BC but didn't win. However, he succeeded the next year, in 115 BC, with strong support from noble families. He became consul alongside Marcus Caecilius Metellus.

During his time as consul, Scaurus passed a law to limit spending on fancy banquets. He also led a successful military campaign against tribes in Gaul and Liguria. For this, he was given a special parade called a triumph in Rome.

In the same year, Scaurus was chosen to be princeps senatus, the leader of the Senate. This was a huge honor, usually given to the oldest and most respected noble. It was a big achievement for Scaurus to get it at a relatively young age. Around this time, Scaurus married Metella, the daughter of a powerful Roman leader.

The Jugurthine War

Before the Jugurthine War (112–106 BC), Scaurus was sent to Numidia to tell King Jugurtha to stop fighting. Scaurus was not a fan of Jugurtha's actions. When Jugurtha refused, Rome declared war.

Scaurus served as a commander during the first year of the war. Some historians claim that Scaurus and another Roman general accepted gifts from Jugurtha to end the war quickly. However, others believe they might have agreed to a truce because the Roman army was not strong enough at that moment.

When this agreement became known in Rome, a politician named Gaius Mamilius Limetanus started an investigation into bribery. A special court was set up to look into these charges. Interestingly, Scaurus was not only cleared but also became one of the judges for the trial!

Censor and Senate Leader

In 109 BC, Scaurus was elected censor with another leader named Marcus Livius Drusus the Elder. Censors were powerful officials who kept track of citizens and public morals. However, when Drusus suddenly died, Scaurus was forced to step down from his position.

In 104 BC, Scaurus became responsible for Rome's grain supply, which was very important for feeding the city. This job was taken from Lucius Appuleius Saturninus, who was a quaestor at the time. Some historians think this event made Saturninus become a more "popular" politician, meaning he supported the common people.

Scaurus was generally seen as a conservative politician, meaning he wanted to keep things mostly the same. He supported laws to punish disloyal behavior but was against unfair trials.

In 104 BC, a tribune named Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus tried to sue Scaurus. However, Ahenobarbus refused to use evidence from one of Scaurus's own slaves, and Scaurus was found innocent. In response, Domitius passed a law that gave the power to choose priests to the people, not just the existing priests.

In 103 BC, Scaurus led the opposition against a politician named Gaius Norbanus. Norbanus was trying to prosecute Quintus Servilius Caepio for a military disaster. Scaurus and others tried to stop the trial, but they were met with violence. Scaurus was even hit in the head with a stone! Scaurus likely opposed this because he felt it weakened the Senate's authority.

Scaurus was reappointed princeps senatus in 102 BC. This showed continued support for his strong stance against politicians like Saturninus.

In 100 BC, during a time of great violence caused by Saturninus and Gaius Servilius Glaucia, Scaurus proposed a special decree called the senatus consultum ultimum. This decree allowed the Senate to take extreme measures to protect the Republic, which eventually led to the deaths of Saturninus and Glaucia. As princeps senatus, it was likely Scaurus's job to start such important actions.

Later Years

In 92 BC, Scaurus was probably involved in defending Publius Rutilius Rufus, who was unfairly accused by powerful businessmen. Even though Rufus was known to be innocent, he was still found guilty. After this, Scaurus himself was accused of taking money that had been taken by someone else. However, Scaurus managed to bring his accuser, Quintus Servilius Caepio the Younger, to trial first. Both Scaurus and Caepio were found innocent.

This experience led Scaurus to support the legal changes proposed by Marcus Livius Drusus, a tribune in 91 BC. Drusus wanted to make the Senate larger by adding about 300 wealthy citizens and give the power to choose court juries back to the Senate. Scaurus was one of Drusus's main advisers and helped pass his many laws. However, after Drusus suddenly died, his laws were canceled.

It's possible that Scaurus also supported giving Roman citizenship to people from other Italian cities. After Drusus was killed and the Social War broke out, Scaurus was accused in 90 BC of encouraging Rome's allies to fight. Scaurus, who was old and unwell, famously replied to his accuser:

[Quintus] Varius the Spaniard says that Marcus Scaurus, the princeps senatus, has summoned the allies to arms. Marcus Scaurus, the princeps senatus denies the charge, and there is no witness. Which of us, Quirites [citizens], is it meet to believe?

The people quickly dismissed the charges against him.

Scaurus died between late 89 BC and early 88 BC. His wife, Caecilia Metella, later married Sulla, another famous Roman leader.

Scaurus's Impact

Scaurus was remembered as a very important figure in Roman history. Cicero admired him greatly, saying that "almost the whole world was ruled by his nod." This shows how much influence Scaurus had.

However, not everyone saw Scaurus in a positive light. The historian Sallust described Scaurus as a greedy politician who accepted bribes. Sallust called him "a noble full of energy, a partisan, greedy for power, fame, and riches, but clever in concealing his faults."

Scaurus was the last person who relied mainly on the title of princeps senatus for his power. After he died, the Roman civil wars shifted power more towards military leaders.

Personal Life

Scaurus married Caecilia Metella, the daughter of Lucius Caecilius Metellus Delmaticus. She later became the fourth wife of Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Scaurus and Metella had two children:

• Aemilia, who became the second wife of Pompey the Great.
• Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, who was a praetor in 56 BC.

Images for kids

• 

  A robot for kids.