Proscriptions of the Second Triumvirate

The **Proscriptions** **of the Second Triumvirate**, (the *Proscriptiones triumviratus secundi*) of 43 BC were the second major proscription of the Roman Republic, succeeding those drafted by Lucius Cornelius Sulla in 82 BC. The second proscriptions were written in 43 BC, and were created by the Second Triumvirate (**Gaius Octavian**, **Mark Anthony** and **Marcus Lepidus**) in order to both avenge the assassination of Julius Caesar the previous year, and to also confiscate the lands, properties and wealth of those they executed. Over 2,000 Roman landowners, and around 300 Senators (although Livy claims it was only around 130 Senators) were executed by these lists.

## History

The Second Triumvirs began these proscriptions after an agreement in November 43. Their primary aim was to avenge Julius Caesar’s assassination and eliminate political enemies. These proscriptions stripped those added of their legal safety, and would confiscate their properties and wealth, which the triumvirs used to pay their soldiers and feed their armies.

The first names added to these lists were Caesar’s main conspirators, Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus, followed by those who had served under them or were closely affiliated with them, most famously *Marcus Tullius Cicero*. These names would be written on white boards which were then put up in the public Forum.

Within ten days of the Second Triumvirate's formation, they are their army marched back to Rome, sending a strong force of men ahead of them to begin the first wave of executions. These soldiers roamed the streets at night, searching for these targets and causing panic in the city. Around 300 senators and 2,000 Equestrians were said to have been added to the lists.

A handsome reward of 2,500 sesterces for bringing back the head of a free person on the list; the same rewards were given to anyone who gave information on where someone on the list was hiding. Anyone who tried to save people on the list were also added to it. Many families became corrupted, with wives, sons and even slaves being encouraged to betray their *Paterfamilias*. A slave who informed would gain their freedom and given 40,000 S*esterces.*  A free man was to be given upwards of 100,000 *sesterces.*  The property of a proscribed person became state property. The dowries of their wives were to be returned. Male children were to receive 10% of the property, female children 5%. Such sums were, however, likely not paid and it would have been a brave person who complained. For every story of conspicuous loyalty, there was another of betrayal. Some families were ruined, though others were made rich.

Unsurprisingly, these Proscriptions quickly became corrupt with many random names being declared, after all, one man’s enemy was another man's friend. It was not just enemies of the triumvirs who found themselves listed, but enemies of friends of the triumvirs, or enemies of persons prepared to pay or bribe officials to get their enemies listed or removed. There were perhaps even names of potential enemies who would appear on the list one day and be removed the next, in order to better forewarn them about plotting against them.

By 42 BC, most people whose names were added to these lists were killed, in some cases gruesomely, with Cicero himself having his head and hands cut off, and his hands being fastened to the Rostra. Some of the listed were stripped of their property and wealth but protected from death by their relatives in the Triumvirate (namely Julius Caesar's cousin *Lucius Julius Caesar* and Lepidus' brother *Lucius Aemilius Paullus*).

Some others were also able to spare themselves, having experienced and survived Caesar’s *Clementia*. By simply staying in Rome, they demonstrated their acquiescence in the new regime: that might seem to be enough to show they were not a threat?

After the passing of the *Lex Titia* (a law that legitimised the power of the Second Triumvirate for a period of 5 years) some may have had a suspicion that the triumvirs would exact revenge for the way they had been treated and that the first list of those destined for death might be extended at any time. Antony, especially, was had been left furious with those who had worked to declare him a public enemy, with Cicero's immediate, brutal execution being a promise of his revenge.

There are three possible explanations for the severity of the purge:

* Antony and Octavian were furious at the way that they had been treated and wanted revenge. They did not trust a significant proportion of the senators and feared that as soon as they were able, and possibly when Antony and Octavian were committed to the war against the assassins, the senators would make an attempt to seize Rome.
* They triumvirs were committed to an enormous programme of expenditure to reward the soldiers for the forthcoming war in the East. The only available sources of money were the estates of the wealthy.
* Having seen the conservative faction of the senate assert itself repeatedly and violently, even after it had seemed defeated, and especially after Caesar’s triumph, they felt that they needed to assert their authority in the most obvious and extreme fashion.

Whatever the intent, the proscriptions were terrifying. Power showed itself through terror. The proscriptions brought wealth to the triumvirate which allowed it to meet some of its bills. The senators were rendered compliant.

## Names Proscribed (*Proscripti a triumviris reipublicae constituendae*)

* **Marcus Tullius Cicero**, statesman, lawyer and scholar.
* **Quintus Tullius Cicero**, statesman and military leader.
* **Quintus Salvius**, a Tribune under Cicero's command.
* **Lucius Quintius**. Committed suicide at sea. Father-in-law of Gaius Asinius Pollio
* **Lucius Villius Annalis**, senator and praetor.
* **Quintus Aponius**, commander under of Gaius Trebonius
* **Gaius Servilius Casca Longus**, Tribune of the plebs
* **Quintus Ligarius**, general
* **Lucius Cornelius Cinna**, praetor in 44 BC.
* **Aulus Allienus**.
* **Lucius Arruntius**
* **Lucius Julius Caesar**, senator and consul. Cousin of Julius Caesar. *Pardoned*.
* **Lucius Aemilius Paullus**, brother of Marcus Lepidus. *Pardoned*.
* **Quintus Antistius Labeo**.
* **Marcus Aemilius Avianus**
* **Abronius Dius**
* **Aulus Cluentius Habitus**
* **Marcus Aburius Geminus**
* **Lucius Acilius Canianus**
* **Lucius Aelius Lamia**
* **Marcus Rubrius Ruga**
* **Gnaeus Amatius Proba**