Gaius Claudius Marcellus (Maior) was a Consul of the Roman Republic in 49 BC. He is known to historians as C. Claudius Marcellus Major to distinguish him from his homonymous cousin (with whom he is readily confused), Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor, one of the Consuls of the previous year.
In 50 BCE Marcellus was elected consul for the following year alongside Lentulus Crus, as opponents to Caesar. Both his brother Marcus and cousin Gaius (Minor) had strongly opposed Caesar during their own consulships working to have his proconsulship of Gaul terminated and to prevent Caesar from standing for election as consul of 48 BC in absentia.
Very little is known about him after the civil war broke out. He is mentioned as having commanded a fleet from Rhodos in association with Gaius Coponius. It is believed that Marcellus was a casualty of the war – at least, he was not alive a few years later when Cicero was writing or delivering his Phillipics.
In 50 BCE Marcellus was elected consul for the following year alongside Lentulus Crus, as opponents to Caesar. Both his brother Marcus and cousin Gaius (Minor) had strongly opposed Caesar during their own consulships working to have his proconsulship of Gaul terminated and to prevent Caesar from standing for election as consul of 48 BC in absentia.
Very little is known about him after the civil war broke out. He is mentioned as having commanded a fleet from Rhodos in association with Gaius Coponius. It is believed that Marcellus was a casualty of the war – at least, he was not alive a few years later when Cicero was writing or delivering his Phillipics.
An
AR
Denarius
struck spring 49 BC
in
Military Mint
Obverse: head of Saturn right, harpa over shoulder; NERI·Q·(VR)B
Reverse: aquila between signum of Hastati and signum of Princeps; L·LE(NT) // C·(MA)RC // H__P / COS
Diameter:
17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.6 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.6 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 441/1; RSC Neria 1; CRI 2; BMCRR Rome 3950