27.09.2013 Views

Submitted for award of PhD September 2006. - King's College London

Submitted for award of PhD September 2006. - King's College London

Submitted for award of PhD September 2006. - King's College London

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

the Carthaginians. 462 In his accolade to Decius Magius, Silius Italicus attributes the<br />

foundation <strong>of</strong> Capua to this gens at the instigation <strong>of</strong> Jupiter. 463 Velleius Paterculus<br />

mentions Decius Magius as one <strong>of</strong> his maternal ancestors along with another member<br />

<strong>of</strong> his family, Minatus Magius Aeculensis. 464 Two Oscan inscriptions from<br />

Aeclanum, one probably the basis <strong>of</strong> a statue to the goddess Mefitis, confirm that a<br />

branch <strong>of</strong> the Magii were leading inhabitants <strong>of</strong> this town 465 From the age <strong>of</strong> Sulla,<br />

the Magii appeared also at Rome: the sons <strong>of</strong> Minatus Magius held the<br />

praetorship 466<br />

The Virrii, Blossii and Calavii <strong>of</strong> Capua fell victim to Roman propaganda<br />

after the Second Punic War, because they were active when the city revolted from<br />

Rome. They were made to embody luxuria, voluptas, licentia and libido, vices<br />

associated with Capua 467 Inscriptions show that the Virrii provided Capua with a<br />

468<br />

censor and a meddix. A terracotta stela shows that ceremonies were held in honour<br />

<strong>of</strong> the gens. Vibius Virrius appears in Livy <strong>for</strong> his part in the embassy sent to Rome<br />

from Capua in 216 BC to ask <strong>for</strong> the release <strong>of</strong> the three hundred cavalrymen who<br />

had served in Sicily. 469 Upon his return to Capua, he convinced his fellow-citizens to<br />

revolt from Rome, and took part in the embassy <strong>of</strong> the Capuan senate to Hannibal to<br />

negotiate the terms on which Capua joined the Carthaginians. A bronze tablet from a<br />

Roman tomb tells us that two other members <strong>of</strong> this gens, Sthenius Virrius and<br />

462 Livy 23.7.4.<br />

463 Sil. Ital. Pun. 11.177.<br />

464 Veil. Pat. 2.16.2.<br />

465 ST Hi 1: Gabius Magius son <strong>of</strong> Pacius, ST Hi 4: Sivius Magius.<br />

466 Münzer (P. W. 14 439 (8).<br />

467 Livy 7.38.5,23.2.1-2 and 23.4.4-5.<br />

acs ST Cp 24 and 27.<br />

469<br />

Livy 23.6.1.<br />

133

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!