C. Claudius Pulcher 302

vol. III p.2856

302) C. Publius Pulcher

Son of nr. 295 (about his origin, cf. Fasti Cap. Cic. Verr. II 122; off. II 57). He first took on the role of quaestor, and after it, around 650 = 104, he became master of the mint, in contrast to later custom (Elogium XXXIII CIL I² p. 200 = VI 31586. Mommsen Münzwesen 562 nr. 178; St.-R. II 601, 1). In 654 = 100, he took part in battles against Saturninus and Glaucia (C. Claudius Cic. Rabir. 21); perhaps he is the Claudius mentioned by Oros. V 17, 9 for these events, <20> since his praenomen could easily have fallen away in the mss. In 655 = 99 he was a curule aedile and gave games as such, which stood out due to their magnificence which had never yet been equalled; the splendid decoration of the stage with works of art and the appearance of elephants in the hunting-shows is mentioned many times (Elog. Cic. Verr. IV 6. 133; har. resp. 26; off. II 57. Val. Max. II 4, 6. Licinian. p. 38 Bonn. Plin. n. h. VIII 19. XXXV 23, perhaps also XXI 6, where P. Claudius Pulcher is handed down). <30> During the following year, he was iudex q(uaestionis) veneficiis (Elogium) and in 659 = 95 he was praetor, under which role he lead his charges de repetundis (Elog.), and in accordance with a particular decision from the senate, he revised the constitution in Halaesa in Sicily (Cic. Verr. II 122). As a curator viis sternundis in the time that followed (Elog.), he became consul in the year 662 = 92 (Fasti Cap. Elog. Inschr. von Samothrake CIL I 578 = III 713. Chronogr. Idat. Chron. pasch. Cic. Cael. 33. Obsequ. 53. Cassiod.); <40> he was already old at the time, and seems to have died very shortly afterwards (cf. Borghesi Oeuvres II 177), though Cic. de leg. III 42 does refer to his time in office (cf. nr. 11). Cicero (Brut. 166) gives this opinion of him: etsi propter summam nobilitatem et singularem potentiam magnus erat, tamen etiam eloquentiae quandam mediocritatem adferebat. [Even though he was great on account of his highest nobility and singular power, he would still bring a certain moderation to his rhetoric]. <50>

([Münzer.])

This article is referenced by: Ap. Claudius (11), Ap. Claudius (12), Claudius Pulcher (290), Ap. Claudius Pulcher (295), Ap. Claudius Pulcher (296), P. Claudius Pulcher (305)