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The third century before the common era was a time of empire-making and empire-breaking especially in the western Mediterranean, where a conflict was brewing that would shape the future of the known world. |
First Punic War (264-241BC)
(- threads, 26 posts)
 Publius Appius Claudius Pulcher
Historical Thread
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"I don't know whether Appius Claudius was a greater affront to religion or his country, seeing that he neglected the time honoured practices of the former, and lost a fine fleet of the latter." Valerius Maximus, De Viris Illustribus 8.1.16
Like all Claudians, Publius was destined from birth for high office. Both of his brothers were consuls and his father, Appius Claudius Caecus, was probably the greatest Claudian. This Appius was the second son and the first to have the cognomen 'Pulcher', meaning 'good-looking'. In 249BC, when the First Punic War was focused on the Roman siege of the Carthaginian naval base at Lilybaeum, Pulcher became consul. Casualties left his fleet undermanned and hardly seaworthy as he intended to attack Drepanum. Pulcher consulted the sacred chickens before battle but after they refused to eat at all, the consul snapped "Well, let them drink!" and had them thrown overboard. The following battle was a disaster for Rome as the Carthaginian admiral trapped Pulcher's fleet in the harbour, destroying or caturing ninety-three of one hundred and twenty ships. The arrogant Claudian was put on trial for 'perduellio' - a strange mix of sacrilege, treason and incompetance - but it was postponed due to a thunderstorm and before it could resume Pulcher was dead - possibly through suicide. His sister famously remarked that she wished her brother was still alive because the plebian population was in need of further culling.
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Speaking Of Publius Clodius Pulcher - ( * Kallistos Alexandros )Pulcher - ( * Kallistos Alexandros )|
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