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Marcus Livius Drusus (155–108 BC) was a Roman politician who served as consul in 112 BC. He was also governor of Macedonia and campaigned successfully in Thrace against the Scordisci.

Early life

Drusus was a son of Gaius Livius Drusus. He had a brother named Gaius Livius Drusus and a sister named Livia.

Tribunate

Drusus was set up as tribune of the plebs by the Senate in 122 BC to undermine Gaius Gracchus' land reform bills. To do this (according to the record of Appian), he proposed creating twelve colonies with 3,000 settlers each from the poorer classes, and relieving rent on property distributed since 133 BC. He also said the Latin allies should not be mistreated by Roman generals, which was the counteroffer to Gracchus' offer of full citizenship. These were known as the Leges Liviae, but they were never enacted, because the Senate simply wanted to draw support away from Gracchus.

Their plan was successful. Drusus had just enough popular support to justify his veto of Gracchus' bills.

Consulship and later career

Drusus was later consul in 112 BC and fought in Macedonia defeating the Scordisci, even pushing them out of Thrace across the Danube.

In 109 BC he was elected censor along with the elder Marcus Aemilius Scaurus. He died in office.

Family

Drusus was married to a Cornelia, they had three known children:

• Marcus Livius Drusus, the famous tribune of 91 BC, whose murder incited the Italian Social War.
• Mamercus Aemilius Lepidus Livianus, the consul of 77 BC (adopted into the Aemilii Lepidi), who married the daughter of Sulla the dictator.
• Livia, the mother of Servilia and Cato the Younger.

v t e Brutus family tree
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Salonia (2) Cato the Elder Licinia (1) Marcus Porcius Cato Salonianus Marcus Porcius Cato Licinianus Marcus Livius Drusus Marcus Porcius Cato (2) Livia Quintus Servilius Caepio (1) Marcus Livius Drusus Atilia (1) Cato the Younger Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus, adopted son Marcus Junius Brutus (1) Servilia Decimus Junius Silanus (2) Servilia Gnaeus Servilius Caepio Marcus Porcius Cato Porcia Marcus Junius Brutus† Junia Prima Junia Tertia Gaius Cassius Longinus x Junia Secunda Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (triumvir) Descendant of Pompey and Sulla son Manius Aemilius Lepidus Aemilia Lepida II
(1): 1st spouse (2): 2nd spouse †: assassin of Caesar
Notes:

References

1. Sumner, G.V. (1973). The Orators in Cicero's Brutus: Prosopography and Chronology. University of Toronto Press. p. 64. ISBN 0-8020-5281-9.
2. ^ Broughton 1951, p. 538.
3. ^ "Gens: LIVIUS". strachan.dk. 4 October 2010.
4. Dennison, Matthew (2011). Livia, Empress of Rome: A Biography. St. Martin's Publishing Group. ISBN 9781429989190.
5. ^ Broughton 1951, p. 545.
6. ^ Treggiari, Susan (3 January 2019). Servilia and her Family. Oxford University Press. p. 40. ISBN 9780192564658.

Sources

• Broughton, TRS (1951). Magistrates of the Roman Republic. Vol. 1. American Philological Association.

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