Gaius Junius Silanus

Gaius Junius Silanus was a Roman consul in 10 AD.[1] At some time after that he was appointed proconsul of Asia.[1] In 22 AD he was accused of malversation (misconduct).[1] To this alleged crime his accusers in the senate added the charges of treason (majestas) and sacrilege to the divinity of Augustus.[2]

Tacitus suggests that the charge of treason was added to his charges in order to intimidate Silanus' friends from defending him. Silanus, deserted by his friends and without experience in pleading, abandoned his defence.[3]

It was proposed to outlaw and banish him to the island of Gyarus; but Tiberius changed to place of his exile to the less inhospitable island of Cynthus which his sister Torquata had begged might be his place of punishment.[4] He had at least three sons: Appius Junius Silanus, consul in 28, Decimus Junius Silanus who was in an affair with Julia the Younger and Marcus Junius Silanus, consul suffectus in 15.[5]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Smith, William (2005). A Dictionary Of Greek And Roman Biography And Mythology. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Library. p. 821.
  2. ↑ Tacitus, The Annals 3.66
  3. ↑ Tacitus, The Annals 3.67
  4. ↑ Tacitus, The Annals 3.69
  5. ↑ Syme, Ronald (1989). The Augustan Aristocracy. Oxford: Oxford Clarendon Press. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-19-814731-2. The son of C. Silanus C.f., the criminal proconsul, is C. Appius Junius Silanus (cos. 28),... the second brother... Decimus who, involved in the disgrace of the younger Julia... the third brother M. Silanus C.f. He held the fasces in 15, as consul suffect,... (Limited Preview of this page in Google Books)