Laetoria (gens)

The gens Laetoria was a plebeian family in Ancient Rome which appears in historical accounts from the early republic.

Notable members

• Marcus Laetorius - in 495 BC he was the Primus pilus of one of the Roman legions. During the events leading to the First secessio plebis in 494 BC, the consuls were unable to decide upon which of them should dedicate a new temple to Mercury. The senate referred the decision to the popular assembly, and also decreed that whichever was chosen should also exercise additional duties, including presiding over the markets, establish a merchants' guild, and exercise the functions of the pontifex maximus. The people, in order to spite the senate and the consuls, instead awarded the honour to Laetorius, thereby causing outrage amongst the senators.^[1]

References