Marcus Claudius Marcellus (consul 196 BC)

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Marcus Claudius Marcellus was a Roman Republican consul for the year 196 BC, together with Lucius Furius Purpureo. He was the son of the famous general Marcus Claudius Marcellus (killed 208 BC), and possibly father of the three-times consul Marcus Claudius Marcellus (consul 166 BC).

Marcellus first appears in Livy when his father, then curule aedile, brought an action before the Senate against his colleague who had made improper advances to the young and beautiful boy. The younger Marcellus, despite his evident embarrassment, convinced the Senate of the man's guilt and his father was recompensed with some articles of silver which he dedicated to a temple. From this episode, we learn that Marcellus was aged at least 7, and probably over 13 at the time of the incident (circa 226 BC).

Like his coevals, Marcellus fought in the Second Punic War, probably accompanying his father on various military campaigns, including the famous campaign against Syracuse. He was military tribune under his father, when the two consuls were ambushed in 208 BC resulting in his father's death and the other consul's severe injury. Marcellus himself was badly wounded; his father's body was subsequently returned by Hannibal to the son.

In 204 BC Marcellus was the tribune of the plebs appointed to lead a commission (also including Cato) to investigate charges made against Scipio Africanus. The charges were dismissed, and it is unclear what relationship, if any, existed between the two men. (Marcellus's father and Scipio's uncle had been co-consuls in 222 BC).

Preceded by Gaius Cornelius Cethegus and Quintus Minucius C.f. Rufus

Consul of the Roman Republic with Lucius Furius Purpureo 196 BC

Succeeded by Lucius Valerius Flaccus and Marcus Porcius M.f. Cato

Preceded by P. Cornelius Scipio Africanus and Publius Aelius Paetus

Censor of the Roman Republic with Titus Quinctius Flamininus 189 BC

Succeeded by Lucius Valerius Flaccus and Marcus Porcius Cato