Lucius Marcius Philippus
Lucius Marcius Philippus was a member of a Roman
senatorial family. He was a descendant of Roman King
Ancus Marcius. He was a
praetor in
60 BC, and became propraetor of
Syria in
59 BC. That same year he married
Atia Balba Caesonia, niece of
Julius Caesar. Philippus had a son and a daughter (later the wife of
Cato the Younger) from a previous marriage which had ended with his wife's death. Atia's previous husband,
Gaius Octavius, had died on his return to Rome, leaving her with two children:
Octavia Minor and Gaius Octavius (future
Roman Emperor Augustus). Philippus cherished his step-children as if they were his own. He was consul of
56 BC with Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus.
Despite his marriage ties with Caesar, Philippus did not take his side in
Caesar's civil war with
Pompey, passing anti-Caesar legislation in the Senate. Because of this, Philippus was not given a province to govern for the year. Sensing the threat implicit in this snub, Philippus requested that Caesar allow him to sit out the war, to remain in Italy for the duration. Caesar obliged, thankful that he had not gained an enemy, even if he had not gained a supporter. Philippus became a close friend of
Cicero, also waiting out the war.
The desire of Philippus to avoid conflict is evident at all times of his life. When his step-son Octavius was named Caesar's heir, Philippus attempted to dissuade him from accepting his inheritance because of the danger from Antony. He enlisted Atia to try her hand at convincing the young man to decline, but it was no use. Although he opposed
Marcus Antonius, Philippus took part in the delegation sent to him at
Mutina, and returned his demands to the senate. Cicero chided Philippus for this.
Atia died during August/September
43 BC, and according to
Ovid, Philippus later married her sister. He lived to old age, and Augustus rewarded him for his continued loyalty with spoils from foreign victories. With his reward, he restored the temple ‘Hercules of the Muses'.
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Roman coinage depicting Philippus
