Name Marcus Silvanus Children Plautia Urgulanilla Parents Urgulania | Died Rome, Italy Role Politician Grandchildren Claudius Drusus | |
Similar People Plautia Urgulanilla, Claudius, Britannicus, Claudia Antonia, Claudia Octavia | ||
Marcus Plautius Silvanus was a Roman politician and general active during the Principate. He was consul in 2 BC as the colleague of the emperor Augustus.
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Biography
Silvanus was the son of Urgulania, a close friend of the empress Livia, and it was Livia's intercession that allowed Silvanus to climb the cursus honorum, leading to the consulate in 2 BC alongside Augustus. He was then made proconsul of Asia in 4-5 AD, followed by a posting as imperial legate in Galatia in 6 AD, where he was involved in suppressing the Isaurians.
Whilst there, news broke of the Great Illyrian Revolt. In 7 AD Silvanus was summoned by Tiberius who was in charge of the military situation in Illyricum, ordering him to bring his troops to help suppress the revolt. He joined up with Caecina Severus, the imperial legate of Moesia and fought a major battle against the rebels at Sirmium. The Roman forces were victorious, but suffered very, very heavy losses. Silvanus remained at the head of his forces until 9 AD, during which time he served in Pannonia and Dalmatia.
Although serving under Tiberius for the duration of the revolt, Tiberius had some doubts concerning Silvanus, especially his close connection with Tiberius' mother Livia.
Family
Silvanus married Lartia. Their known children include: