Update
The Oxford Biblical Studies Online and Oxford Islamic Studies Online have retired. Content you previously purchased on Oxford Biblical Studies Online or Oxford Islamic Studies Online has now moved to Oxford Reference, Oxford Handbooks Online, Oxford Scholarship Online, or What Everyone Needs to Know®. For information on how to continue to view articles visit the subscriber services page.
Dismiss

Related Content

More Like This

Show all results sharing this subject:

  • Classical studies

GO

Show Summary Details

Overview

Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, Lucius


Quick Reference

Rapidly rose to the consulship, which he held in 58 bc (with Gabinius ) after marrying his daughter to Caesar (consul 59). He refused to support Cicero against Clodius Pulcher, and as a reward was given the province of Macedonia by a law of Clodius. His administration there (57–55) was attacked by Cicero in two speeches. He was censor (50) and remained neutral in the Civil War, which he did his best to prevent. After Caesar's death he again tried to prevent civil war (against Marcus Antonius), but died soon after.

An Epicurean and friend of Philodemus, he was open to attack as a voluptuary (see invective); but he was no worse than many of his contemporaries, and his political influence was pacific. He is generally regarded as the owner of a villa in Herculaneum where Epicurean papyri, including work by Philodemus, were discovered.

Subjects: Classical studies


Reference entries