Antiquity Corner: The Mean, Cobbled Streets of Rome

Antiquity Corner: The Mean, Cobbled Streets of Rome

The study of ancient history often reveals some fascinating anecdotes, mysterious happenings, and colorful characters. Some of these are not generally known.

Amsco’s Lingua Latina, Books I and II, by Professor John Traupman of St. Joseph’s University, deal with the Latin language and Roman history and culture. In Book I, Dr. Traupman describes a Roman of dubious character who was murdered in 52 B.C. Publius Claudius Pulcher (the Handsome) belonged to one of the most aristocratic families of the Roman Republic, the Claudii. One of his ancestors had built Rome’s first highway, the Via Appia, in 312 B.C. Nevertheless, he changed his name to Clodius in order to get political support from the common people, or plebians.

Clodius became a notorious gang leader. He and his followers terrorized the streets of Rome. (The Roman world, at that time, was ruled by the First Triumvirate of Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Crassus. These three men brought stability and order to Rome and its provinces. However, they were intense rivals. Each sought an opportunity to eliminate the other two. The death of Crassus in battle against the Parthians ultimately led to civil war between Pompey and Caesar. Pompey lost his head and Caesar emerged as sole ruler of the Roman world.)

Clodius’ sister Clodia was called pulchra because of her great beauty. Like her brother, she lived a wild life, taking many lovers. Among them was the poet Catullus. Brother and sister were admired by some and feared by others. They were involved with the leading political figures of the late Republic.

Among Clodius’ many criminal activities was the affair of the mysteries of the Bona Dea in December 62 B.C. These mysteries were open only to women. Dressed as a woman, Clodius entered the house of Julius Caesar while the mysteries of the goddess were being celebrated. Upon discovery, a scandal erupted. Clodius was accused of attempting to carry on an affair with Pompeia, Casesar’s wife. Whether this was true or not, Caesar divorced Pompeia. Clodius was brought to trial, but avoided conviction by bribing the jury.

After the departure of Caesar for Gaul, Clodius and his gang became masters of Rome. Milo, a rival gang leader and politician, was a candidate for the consulship (Rome’s highest office) in 53 B.C. Clodius’ opposition led to street battles between armed bands of the two leaders. Milo’s gang was strong enough to hold Clodius in check.

On January 18, 52 B.C., Clodius and his followers encountered Milo and his men on the Appian Way. A fight erupted between the two groups and Clodius was killed. His enraged clients used the building in which the Senate met as a funeral pyre for Clodius and burned it to the ground.

Milo was accused of murdering Clodius. At his trial, he was defendeded by Marcus Tullius Cicero, the great lawyer and orator. Nevertheless, Milo was convicted and went into exile.

If you would like to read an exciting novel about the events described above, try Murder on the Appian Way by Steven Saylor. This is one of several first rate historical novels in Saylor’s Roma Sub Rosa series. In the SPQR series by John Maddox Roberts, Clodius is an enemy of the aristocratic Roman detective, Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger.