366:, in which the poet claims the purpose of converting Memmius to Epicurean philosophy and physics. Memmius' relationship to Lucretius is unclear: he has variously been argued as a potential patron of the poet and his work, a speculative addressee whom Lucretius considered 'desperately needed conversion from a life of political ambition to the one of philosophical detachment', and as a famously-corrupt political figure whom Lucretius chose to make 'the butt of his mocking exhortations.'
322:, published around AD 10, approximately sixty years after Memmius' death, Memmius was the author of erotic poems. None survive, but Ovid alleges that 'among his works he names disgraceful things, and disgrace itself'. While Ovid passes over the specifics of what Memmius may have written, he names him alongside several other poets, such as Catullus,
179:, whom Pompey had replaced. Memmius, an ally of Pompey's both politically and through family connections, charged Lucullus with embezzlement and needlessly protracting the war, and led the campaign against granting Lucullus a triumph. He gave at least four public speeches against Lucullus' triumph; after three years, the necessary law (
373:
is debated. While the general view is that
Memmius was a "reluctant student" of Lucretius' Epicurean ideas, if broadly sympathetic to its basic ideals, it has also been argued that Memmius may have been a practising Epicurean, whose quarrel with the Athenian Epicureans stemmed from a personal dislike
267:, Pompey's own father-in-law, of the same offence. However, Pompey publicly interceded on Metellus Scipio's behalf, calling all of the jurors to himself and putting on mourning garb in the traditional solicitation of sympathy and support, which led Memmius to withdraw his charge and go into exile in
293:
According to Cicero, Memmius seduced the wife of Marcus
Lucullus early in 60 BC, leading to the latter's divorce from her. Shortly after his failed prosecution of Metellus in 52 BC, he attempted to seduce Pompey's wife, Cornelia, by a letter, delivered by
237:
described
Memmius as having gone over to Caesar, Pompey's great rival, and 'being supported by all of Caesar's influence' in his campaign for the consulship of that year, as well as being popular among Caesar's soldiers. However, following his defeat to
418:(Lucius) would suggest that he had at least one elder brother, probably called Lucius Memmius, since it was usual for the eldest son of a family to inherit the father's name. However, this putative brother does not appear in the historical record.
298:, which Cornelia revealed to her husband. Prior to this, along with Pompey, Memmius had been instrumental in gaining Roman citizenship for Nicias, but in the fallout from the affair Pompey banished Nicias from his house.
305:, around 49 BC. If he lived as long as 49 BC, he would have been permitted to return by Caesar's recall of the exiles from 52, but there is no record either way of whether this affected him.
355:, Cicero praised him as possessing considerable oratorical abilities, but judged that his contempt for Latin letters and preference for Greek models impaired his efficiency as an advocate.
263:
for taking and offering bribes during his consular election campaign. Since the same law offered amnesty to anybody who brought a successful prosecution under it, Memmius then accused
333:
Ovid's mention of
Memmius alongside known and respected poets of the recent past may suggest that his work was well regarded after his death. It was certainly known and referenced by
216:; on his return to Rome, Catullus wrote verses complaining of how Memmius denied his staff the expected opportunities to enrich themselves at the locals' expense. His son
254:
and a decree for the allocation of senatorial provinces. Cicero records that this lost
Memmius Caesar's favour, and that Memmius went on to prosecute Domitius himself.
290:
the day before Cicero's arrival, but a later letter of Cicero's claimed success in at least persuading
Memmius to abandon his plan of constructing the new house.
1048:
337:
at the end of the 1st century AD, who cites
Memmius' name in defence of his own composition of poetry considered to be vulgar. In the early 2nd century AD,
286:, appealed to Cicero to intercede with Memmius, and Cicero wrote to him asking him to return the ruined house to the Epicureans. Memmius left Athens for
330:, whose poems claimed to discuss their own extra-marital relationships, which suggests that Memmius' work may have treated a similar subject-matter.
246:, an ally of Pompey's, Memmius revealed in the Senate an alleged compact between the victorious consuls, himself and his fellow Caesarian candidate
204:
conduct during his consulship in the previous year, though the Senate refused to act upon it. In 57-56 BC, he was a propraetorial governor in
189:
throughout this period to avoid forfeiting his right to a triumph by entering Rome, effectively removing him from politics for this period.
841:
349:
239:
197:
406:
302:
264:
243:
402:
1161:
301:
Memmius died, possibly having been recalled to Rome and restored to the Senate in 50 BC, a proposal made by the tribune
358:
Memmius's most direct impact on Roman literature stems from his position as the dedicatee of
Lucretius' didactic poem
398:
in 34 BC. In 55 BC, Memmius divorced Fausta on the grounds of adultery, which helped to repair his rift with Caesar.
1166:
1156:
1151:
391:
217:
68:
712:
No involvement of
Memmius' is recorded in the events of Caesar's civil war, which began in 49 BC; in the
323:
1074:
247:
1108:: die Verwandtschaften der senatorischen Führungsschicht der römischen Republik von 218-31 v. Chr
462:: die Verwandtschaften der senatorischen Führungsschicht der römischen Republik von 218-31 v. Chr
274:
In the first half of 51 BC, while in Athens, Memmius bought an estate on which were the ruins of
875:
387:
345:('hard', in the sense of 'unrefined'), in unfavourable contrast to that of Catullus and Cinna.
181:
835:
1146:
1141:
764:
259:
172:
1038:
Farrell, Joseph (2020). "Chapter 11: Was
Memmius a Good King?". In O'Rourke, Donncha (ed.).
156:
8:
283:
205:
1091:
148:
481:; Pompey had, until her death in 82 BC, been married to Aemilia, Sulla's stepdaughter.
1070:"What's In a Name? A Survey of Roman Onomastic Practice from c. 700 B.C. to A.D. 700"
334:
257:
In 52 BC, now without a powerful ally, he was prosecuted along with others under the
1083:
947:
168:
1040:
Approaches to Lucretius: Traditions and Innovations in Reading the De Rerum Natura
1171:
860:
474:
383:
361:
115:
58:
913:
146:. His father was Lucius Memmius, possibly the same Lucius Memmius who served as
395:
282:
to tear them down and build on the site. The Epicureans, through their leader
1135:
830:
338:
295:
213:
201:
602:
Kelly, G.P. (2006) A History of Exile in the Roman Republic. Cambridge, p194
370:
1121:
175:
in the same year, Memmius led the opposition to Marcus Lucullus' brother,
159:
for 66 BC, in which role he prosecuted Marcus Lucullus for his actions as
142:
132:
845:. Vol. 18 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 105.
1095:
1069:
834:
414:
279:
222:
111:
716:
probably composed in 46, Cicero refers to Memmius in the past tense.
1087:
971:
327:
287:
275:
209:
176:
160:
138:
120:
318:
193:
185:) was passed, but Lucullus had been forced to remain outside the
935:
The Poetics of Latin Didactic: Lucretius, Vergil, Ovid, Manilius
855:
341:
wrote that 'rather many Greeks' considered Memmius' work to be
268:
234:
230:
103:
1125:
478:
409:, who would be killed in 49 BC fighting under Julius Caesar.
164:
436:
The Orators in Cicero's Brutus: Prosopography and Chronology
314:
226:, a title perhaps granted to him during this governorship.
107:
374:
of that group and their interpretation of the philosophy.
137:
Memmius was born around 99 BC, a member of the prominent
412:
The fact that Gaius Memmius did not share his father's
250:
that, if elected, Domitius and Memmius would falsify a
988:
893:
732:
1015:
950:; Taylor, Barnaby (2017). "'Memmius the Epicurean'".
220:
later issued coins celebrating the elder Memmius as
155:
Memmius first appears in the historical record as a
976:
507:
I.161, quotes from a written version of the fourth.
668:
540:Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum
196:in 58 BC, during which year he and his colleague
1133:
1042:. Cambridge University Press. pp. 219–240.
308:
1011:. University of Virginia: Oxford. p. 126.
793:apud quos rebus adest nomen nominibusque pudor
1006:
946:
1126:Digital Prosopography of the Roman Republic
359:
171:assumed command of the Roman armies in the
119:, and for his appearances in the poetry of
278:house, and secured authorisation from the
1053:Lexicon of Greek Grammarians of Antiquity
1110:. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
829:
701:A History of Exile in the Roman Republic
110:. He is most famous as the dedicatee of
1102:
1037:
994:
982:
899:
738:
1134:
1067:
1021:
911:
873:
762:
102:, "The Twin") was a Roman politician,
1046:
914:"Lucretius' Dedication: Why Memmius?"
674:
229:While at first a strong supporter of
208:. His staff included the young poets
369:Similarly, Memmius' relationship to
972:Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
880:Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
13:
407:the younger Gaius Scribonius Curio
126:
14:
1183:
1115:
405:. This made Memmius the uncle of
401:His sister Memmia was married to
16:Roman politician, orator and poet
1007:Chester Louis, Neudling (1955).
242:, also supported by Caesar, and
1031:
1000:
962:
940:
927:
905:
867:
849:
823:
810:
797:
782:
756:
744:
719:
706:
693:
680:
655:
643:
630:
618:
605:
596:
583:
570:
557:
545:
532:
523:
510:
497:
484:
467:
454:
441:
428:
1:
390:. They had at least one son,
382:Gaius Memmius was married to
88:
45:
32:
460:Zmeskal, K. (2009) Adfinitas
421:
309:Literary works and patronage
7:
1009:A Prosopography to Catullus
969:Lucretius (c. 99—c. 55 BCE)
240:Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus
198:Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus
10:
1188:
1162:1st-century BC Roman poets
130:
377:
167:. More significantly, as
74:
64:
54:
41:
28:
21:
1075:Journal of Roman Studies
912:Hendry, Michael (2018).
769:Encyclopaedia Britannica
663:Lives of the Grammarians
248:Gnaeus Domitius Calvinus
177:Lucius Licinius Lucullus
1047:Hogan, Patrick (2006).
842:Encyclopædia Britannica
763:Kenney, Edward (1998).
473:Memmius was married to
351:Encyclopædia Britannica
244:Appius Claudius Pulcher
200:raised an inquiry into
1068:Salway, Brent (1994).
933:Katharina Volk (2002)
874:Sedley, David (2018).
836:"Memmius, Gaius"
434:Sumner, Graham (1973)
403:Gaius Scribonius Curio
388:Lucius Cornelius Sulla
360:
303:Gaius Scribonius Curio
1167:Tribunes of the plebs
1157:1st-century BC Romans
260:lex Pompeia de ambitu
173:Third Mithridatic War
98:, incorrectly called
1103:Zmeskal, K. (2009).
157:Tribune of the Plebs
1152:Ancient Roman poets
952:Classical Quarterly
699:Kelly, G.P. (2006)
206:Bithynia and Pontus
1098:– via JSTOR.
529:Catullus 10 and 28
477:, the daughter of
386:, the daughter of
192:Memmius served as
163:under the rule of
149:triumvir monetalis
948:Morgan, Llewellyn
703:. Cambridge, p195
438:: Toronto: 11-27.
348:According to the
335:Pliny the Younger
96: 49 BC
82:
81:
49: 49 BC
36: 99 BC
1179:
1111:
1099:
1064:
1062:
1060:
1049:"Curtias Nicias"
1043:
1025:
1019:
1013:
1012:
1004:
998:
992:
986:
980:
974:
966:
960:
959:
944:
938:
931:
925:
924:
918:
909:
903:
897:
891:
890:
888:
886:
871:
865:
853:
847:
846:
838:
827:
821:
814:
808:
801:
795:
786:
780:
779:
777:
775:
760:
754:
748:
742:
736:
730:
723:
717:
710:
704:
697:
691:
684:
678:
672:
666:
659:
653:
647:
641:
634:
628:
622:
616:
609:
603:
600:
594:
587:
581:
574:
568:
561:
555:
549:
543:
536:
530:
527:
521:
514:
508:
501:
495:
488:
482:
471:
465:
458:
452:
445:
439:
432:
365:
353:Eleventh Edition
169:Pompey the Great
97:
93:
90:
50:
47:
37:
34:
19:
18:
1187:
1186:
1182:
1181:
1180:
1178:
1177:
1176:
1132:
1131:
1118:
1058:
1056:
1034:
1029:
1028:
1020:
1016:
1005:
1001:
993:
989:
981:
977:
967:
963:
945:
941:
932:
928:
916:
910:
906:
898:
894:
884:
882:
872:
868:
854:
850:
828:
824:
816:Aulus Gellius,
815:
811:
802:
798:
787:
783:
773:
771:
761:
757:
749:
745:
737:
733:
724:
720:
711:
707:
698:
694:
685:
681:
673:
669:
660:
656:
648:
644:
635:
631:
623:
619:
610:
606:
601:
597:
588:
584:
575:
571:
562:
558:
550:
546:
537:
533:
528:
524:
515:
511:
502:
498:
489:
485:
475:Fausta Cornelia
472:
468:
459:
455:
446:
442:
433:
429:
424:
384:Fausta Cornelia
380:
362:De rerum natura
311:
265:Metellus Scipio
135:
129:
127:Life and career
116:De Rerum Natura
95:
91:
59:Fausta Cornelia
48:
35:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1185:
1175:
1174:
1169:
1164:
1159:
1154:
1149:
1144:
1130:
1129:
1122:C. Memmius (8)
1117:
1116:External links
1114:
1113:
1112:
1100:
1088:10.2307/300873
1065:
1044:
1033:
1030:
1027:
1026:
1024:, p. 127.
1014:
999:
997:, p. 231.
987:
975:
961:
939:
926:
904:
902:, p. 240.
892:
866:
848:
833:, ed. (1911).
831:Chisholm, Hugh
822:
809:
796:
781:
755:
743:
741:, p. 235.
731:
718:
705:
692:
679:
667:
654:
642:
629:
617:
604:
595:
582:
569:
556:
544:
531:
522:
509:
496:
483:
466:
453:
440:
426:
425:
423:
420:
396:suffect consul
379:
376:
310:
307:
296:Curtias Nicias
128:
125:
80:
79:
78:Lucius Memmius
76:
72:
71:
66:
62:
61:
56:
52:
51:
43:
39:
38:
30:
26:
25:
22:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1184:
1173:
1170:
1168:
1165:
1163:
1160:
1158:
1155:
1153:
1150:
1148:
1145:
1143:
1140:
1139:
1137:
1127:
1123:
1120:
1119:
1109:
1105:
1101:
1097:
1093:
1089:
1085:
1081:
1077:
1076:
1071:
1066:
1054:
1050:
1045:
1041:
1036:
1035:
1023:
1018:
1010:
1003:
996:
991:
984:
979:
973:
970:
965:
958:(2): 528–541.
957:
953:
949:
943:
937:, Oxford: p74
936:
930:
922:
915:
908:
901:
896:
881:
877:
870:
863:
862:
857:
852:
844:
843:
837:
832:
826:
819:
813:
806:
800:
794:
790:
785:
770:
766:
759:
752:
747:
740:
735:
728:
722:
715:
709:
702:
696:
689:
683:
676:
671:
664:
658:
651:
646:
639:
633:
626:
621:
614:
608:
599:
592:
591:Bellum Civile
586:
579:
573:
566:
560:
553:
548:
541:
535:
526:
519:
513:
506:
500:
493:
487:
480:
476:
470:
463:
457:
450:
444:
437:
431:
427:
419:
417:
416:
410:
408:
404:
399:
397:
393:
392:Gaius Memmius
389:
385:
375:
372:
367:
364:
363:
356:
354:
352:
346:
344:
340:
339:Aulus Gellius
336:
331:
329:
325:
321:
320:
316:
313:According to
306:
304:
299:
297:
291:
289:
285:
281:
277:
272:
270:
266:
262:
261:
255:
253:
249:
245:
241:
236:
232:
227:
225:
224:
219:
218:Gaius Memmius
215:
214:Helvius Cinna
211:
207:
203:
199:
195:
190:
188:
184:
183:
178:
174:
170:
166:
162:
158:
153:
151:
150:
145:
144:
140:
134:
124:
122:
118:
117:
113:
109:
105:
101:
86:
85:Gaius Memmius
77:
73:
70:
69:Gaius Memmius
67:
63:
60:
57:
53:
44:
40:
31:
27:
23:Gaius Memmius
20:
1147:49 BC deaths
1142:99 BC births
1107:
1104:
1079:
1073:
1057:. Retrieved
1052:
1039:
1032:Bibliography
1017:
1008:
1002:
995:Farrell 2020
990:
983:Zmeskal 2009
978:
968:
964:
955:
951:
942:
934:
929:
920:
907:
900:Farrell 2020
895:
883:. Retrieved
879:
869:
859:
851:
840:
825:
818:Attic Nights
817:
812:
804:
799:
792:
788:
784:
772:. Retrieved
768:
758:
750:
746:
739:Farrell 2020
734:
726:
721:
713:
708:
700:
695:
687:
682:
670:
662:
657:
649:
645:
637:
632:
624:
620:
612:
607:
598:
590:
585:
577:
572:
564:
559:
551:
547:
539:
534:
525:
518:Divus Julius
517:
512:
504:
499:
491:
486:
469:
461:
456:
448:
443:
435:
430:
413:
411:
400:
381:
371:Epicureanism
368:
357:
350:
347:
342:
332:
317:
312:
300:
292:
273:
258:
256:
251:
228:
221:
191:
186:
180:
154:
147:
141:
136:
114:
99:
84:
83:
1082:: 124–145.
1059:19 November
1022:Salway 1994
885:19 November
876:"Lucretius"
774:19 November
661:Suetonius,
516:Suetonius,
252:lex curiata
233:, by 54 BC
182:lex curiata
152:in 109 BC.
143:gens Memmia
133:Memmia gens
1136:Categories
688:Ad Atticum
675:Hogan 2006
650:Ad Atticum
625:Ad Atticum
578:Ad Atticum
565:Ad Atticum
552:Ad Atticum
490:Plutarch,
131:See also:
112:Lucretius'
94: – c.
1106:Adfinitas
727:Civil War
542:1.495-496
538:Grueber,
505:ad Aeneid
503:Servius,
464:. Passau.
422:Footnotes
415:praenomen
280:Areopagus
276:Epicurus'
223:imperator
92: 99
921:Curcilio
791:2.433f:
753:ii. 433.
725:Caesar,
686:Cicero,
640:xiii. 1.
636:Cicero,
611:Cicero,
589:Appian,
576:Cicero,
563:Cicero,
492:Lucullus
447:Cicero,
328:Tibullus
288:Mytilene
210:Catullus
202:Caesar's
187:pomerium
161:quaestor
139:plebeian
121:Catullus
100:Gemellus
65:Children
1124:in the
1055:. Brill
923:: 1757.
805:Letters
803:Pliny,
789:Tristia
729:3.1.3-5
714:Brutus,
638:Ad Fam.
613:Ad Fam.
580:4.17-18
319:Tristia
194:praetor
1172:Memmii
1096:300873
1094:
861:Brutus
856:Cicero
765:"Ovid"
751:Trist.
665:, 14.1
652:1.18.3
554:4.15.7
449:Brutus
378:Family
324:Calvus
315:Ovid's
269:Athens
235:Cicero
231:Pompey
104:orator
75:Father
55:Spouse
1092:JSTOR
917:(PDF)
615:13.1.
479:Sulla
343:durus
284:Patro
165:Sulla
1061:2022
887:2022
820:19.7
776:2022
627:5.11
593:2.24
567:4.17
326:and
212:and
108:poet
106:and
42:Died
29:Born
1084:doi
864:70.
807:5.3
690:6.1
451:247
1138::
1090:.
1080:84
1078:.
1072:.
1051:.
956:67
954:.
919:.
878:.
858:,
839:.
767:.
520:23
494:37
394:,
271:.
123:.
89:c.
46:c.
33:c.
1128:.
1086::
1063:.
985:.
889:.
778:.
677:.
87:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.