- Gaius Silius
Gaius Silius was the name of two
consul s of theRoman Empire , during the 1st century. The elder was a consul in the reign of EmperorAugustus and the younger a consul in the reign of EmperorClaudius .Gaius Silius consul under Augustus
The elder Gaius Silius was consul in 13. During his consulship, Augustus had written his will. Under
Germanicus , Silius was an army commander inGermania Inferior (14), and won an honorary triumph in 15. EmperorTiberius appointed him as a taxation auditor inGaul in 16, and later became governor of Germania Inferior in 21.Tacitus described him then as "aged and infirm".Silius married
Sosia Galla . The couple had become friends with Tiberius’ daughter-in-lawAgrippina the Elder . Due to their friendship with Agrippina they became innocent victims ofSejanus ' treason trials. Silius committed suicide in 24, while Galla was exiled and later died. Galla's property was confiscated by the Senate and later given to her children.Gaius Silius consul under Claudius
The younger Gaius Silius, son of the previous, was senator in 47 and a consul in 48. He had married the aristocratic woman
Junia Silana . The ancient sources describe him as an intelligent, noble and attractive man.Through the infatuation of the Empress
Valeria Messalina , they had become lovers. Silius knew the danger he put himself in. Messalina forced him to divorce his wife to marry her. They had committed bigamy and married before witnesses. Silius was childless and wanted to adoptBritannicus . Narcissus exposed their mock marriage and the plot to kill Claudius. The Emperor ordered their executions in 48.His former wife Junia Silana, was a friend of
Agrippina the Younger and the two later became rivals for power, wealth and choice of men. Agrippina ordered her exile and she later died at Tarentum in 59.
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