Marcus Licinius Crassus Frugi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about Marcus Licinius Crassus Frugi, the consul that served under the Roman Emperor Tiberius of the 1st century. To see other Romans with this name, see Licinius (gens).

Marcus Licinius Crassus Frugi (flourished 1st century BC & 1st century) was a Roman nobleman of consular rank that lived during the Roman Empire. Frugi’s mother was an unnamed Roman woman, while his father was consul and governor Marcus Licinius Crassus Dives. Frugi’s adoptive paternal grandfather was consul and general Marcus Licinius Crassus Dives. Crassus Dives was the grandson of triumvir Marcus Licinius Crassus. Crassus Dives was the last known direct descendant of his grandfather and was the last known direct descendant of his grandfather, who bore his name.

Frugi served as a consul along with Lucius Calpurnius Piso in 27, under the reign of Roman Emperor Tiberius. In the older historical sources, they record his consulship as in the year 29.

During the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius, Frugi had appeared to come into favor with the emperor. Claudius had successfully conquered Britain and had added Britain as a province to the Roman Empire. In 43, Claudius had held a triumph parade in Rome, in celebrating his victory of Britain. Frugi had attended Claudius’ triumph parade. Claudius on this occasion had except Frugi from wearing a purple-bordered toga and earned the same honor on a previous occasion. Frugi came dressed to the parade in a palm-embroidered tunic and rode a caparisoned charger. Little else is known on Frugi.

Frugi had married a noblewoman called Scribonia. She was of the highest birth and had descended from ancient, distinguished and politically influential blood. Scribonia through both of her parents was a direct descendant of Pompeia Magna, the daughter of triumvir Pompey from his third marriage to Mucia Tertia.

Scribonia bore Frugi four sons and they were:

Marcus Licinius Crassus Frugi II - Frugi served as consul in 64 under Roman Emperor Nero. Frugi was later killed by Nero sometime before 68.
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus - who married Roman princess Claudia Antonia in 43, the daughter and only child of Roman Emperor Claudius from his second marriage to Aelia Paetina. Antonia married him as her first husband and they had no children. Magnus was murdered in 47.
Marcus Licinius Crassus Scribonianus - sometime between 68 and 69, the general Marcus Antonius Primus, had offered Scribonianus the Roman Empire and position of Roman Emperor, however Scribonianus refused to accept this.
Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi Licinianus or Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus (38-69). Licinianus was adopted by the brief Roman Emperor Galba, who reigned between 68-69. Licinianus became Galba’s son and heir, who was murdered on the orders of Otho, when trying to obtain the Roman throne. Licinianus married a Roman woman called Verania, who came from a family of consular rank.