Marcus Caelius Rufus

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Marcus Caelius Rufus (* around 88 BC; † 48 BC at Thurii ) was a politician in the late Roman Republic .

Caelius, who came from a knightly family living in the Picenum , is best known for his connection to Marcus Tullius Cicero , who was his teacher in oratory. Like Publius Clodius Pulcher , his sister Clodia (with whom he had a temporary relationship) and the poet Catullus , he belonged to the " jeunesse dorée " of the late republic, a generation that - at least in the eyes of its critics - from the turned away from old Roman virtues and preferred a dissolute life. 59 BC He was one of the accusers of Gaius Antonius Hybrida , who was defended by his former official colleague in the consulate and Caelius' teacher Cicero. The lawsuit was successful and led to Antony's exile. 56 BC He was by Lucius Sempronius Atratinus because of the alleged involvement in an assassination attempt in connection with the affairs around Ptolemy XII. accused; From the surviving defense speech by Cicero (pro Caelio) we learn - albeit polemically distorted - something about life in these circles.

In the following years Caelius was also politically active ( tribune 52 BC, Aedile 50 BC) His correspondence with Cicero from this period has been preserved. After the outbreak of civil war, he supported Gaius Iulius Caesar and was 48 BC. BC Praetor . He introduced a bill for rent and debt relief, which was not in the interests of the absent Caesar, the resolution of which was forcibly prevented. Now he allied himself with Titus Annius Milo and instigated a rebellion, but was killed near Thurii in southern Italy. Milo was also killed.

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SURNAME Caelius Rufus, Marcus
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Rufus, Marcus Caelius
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Politician in the late Roman Republic
DATE OF BIRTH around 88 BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 48 BC Chr.
Place of death at Thurii