Marcus Junius Brutus the Elder

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Marcus Junius Brutus known by modern historians as Marcus Junius Brutus the Elder, was a Roman man who lived in the 1st century BC. He was tribune in 83 BC[1] and was the founder of the colony in Capua.[2] He was the first husband to Servilia Caepionis who was the elder half-sister of Cato the Younger. His son by Servilia is the more celebrated Marcus Junius Brutus who was one of the chief assassins of Julius Caesar.

In 77 BC Brutus was placed in command of the forces in Cisalpine Gaul following the death of Lucius Cornelius Sulla who had been dictator. He also placed in command at Mutina where he withstood the attacks from Pompey the Great for a while. For reasons unknown, he put himself and his troops in the power of Pompey, on the understanding that their lives should be spared. Nonetheless, Pompey ordered his death and forwarded to Rome the news of his surrender and execution. The senate blamed Pompey for the perfidious act.[3][4][5] He is quoted by Cicero to have been well skilled in public and private law.[6]

[edit] Family tree

  • (1)=1st husband/wife
  • (2)=2nd husband/wife
  • x=assassin of Caesar
Salonia (2)
 
Cato the Elder
 
Licinia (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marcus Porcius Cato Salonianus
 
 
 
Marcus Porcius Cato Licinianus
 
Marcus Livius Drusus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marcus Porcius Cato (2)
 
Livia Drusa
 
Quintus Servilius Caepio the Younger(1)
 
Marcus Livius Drusus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Atilia (1)
 
Cato the Younger
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus, adoptive son
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marcus Junius Brutus the Elder (1)
 
Servilia Caepionis
 
Decimus Junius Silanus (2)
 
 
Servilia the younger
 
Quintus Servilius Caepio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Porcia Catonis
 
Marcus Junius Brutus x
 
Junia Prima
 
 
 
Junia Tertia
 
Gaius Cassius Longinus x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marcus Porcius Cato (II)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Junia Secunda
 
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (triumvir)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Descendant of Pompey and Lucius Cornelius Sulla
 
Lepidus the Younger
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manius Aemilius Lepidus
 
 
Aemilia Lepida II


[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Cic. pro Quint. 20
  2. ^ de Leg. Agr. ii. 33, 34, 36
  3. ^ Plut. Pomp. 16
  4. ^ Appian, B. C. ii. Ill
  5. ^ Liv. Epit 90.
  6. ^ Cic. Brut. 36.
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