Gaius Silius

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Gaius Silius was the name of two consuls of the Roman Empire, during the 1st century. The elder was a consul in the reign of Emperor Augustus and the younger a consul in the reign of Emperor Claudius.

[edit] Gaius Silius consul under Augustus

The elder Gaius Silius was consul in 13. During his consulship, Augustus had written his will. Under Germanicus, Silius was an army commander in Germania Inferior (14), and won an honorary triumph in 15. Emperor Tiberius appointed him as a taxation auditor in Gaul in 16, and later became governor of Germania Inferior in 21. Tacitus described him then as "aged and infirm".

Silius married Sosia Galla. The couple had become friends with Tiberius’ daughter-in-law Agrippina the Elder. Due to their friendship with Agrippina they became innocent victims of Sejanus' treason trials. Silius committed suicide in 24, while Galla was exiled and later died. Galla's property was confiscated by the Senate and later given to her children.

[edit] Gaius Silius consul under Claudius

The younger Gaius Silius, son of the previous, was senator in 47 and a consul in 48. He had married the aristocratic woman Junia Silana. The ancient sources describe him as an intelligent, noble and attractive man.

Through the infatuation of the Empress Valeria Messalina, they had become lovers. Silius knew the danger he put himself in. Messalina forced him to divorce his wife to marry her. They had committed bigamy and married before witnesses. Silius was childless and wanted to adopt Britannicus. Narcissus exposed their mock marriage and the plot to kill Claudius. The Emperor ordered their executions in 48.

His former wife Junia Silana, was a friend of Agrippina the Younger and the two later became rivals for power, wealth and choice of men. Agrippina ordered her exile and she later died at Tarentum in 59.