POST2436 L. Postumius (15)

Discussion continues of his name, identity, and rank. The L. Postumius, probably not a noble, who is mentioned with M. Favonius in Sallust (or Pseudo-Sallust) Ad Caesarem 2.9.4, is almost certainly, as Sumner and Shackleton Bailey agree, the Postumius who was assigned to Sicily early in 49 under Cato's command (Cic. Att. 7.15.2; cf. for comment Shackleton Bailey, CLA 4.310). As Cato was then a praetorius, Postumius was probably only of quaestorian rank. Yet he felt himself to be a person of some importance since, when he refused to go to Sicily without Cato, he also set "no small store by his own activity (opera) and influence (auctoritas)" in the expected Senate meeting about Caesar's terms. He was also very probably the violent T. Postumius, non minus vehemens orator quam bellator, effrenatus et acer nimis, named in Cicero, Brutus 269, who had died in the war. If this identification is correct, the praenomen L. is probably preferable to T., which is unknown among the patrician Albini, but, as Shackleton Bailey shows, should not be wholly excluded, though very rare, from plebeian holders of the name. Sumner would identify him also with the Postumus (Postumius) who was a candidate for the praetorship of 62, and with the Monetalis C. Postumius (12). Shackleton Bailey rejects identification with L. Postumius (15), above, but, in spite of the many emendations of Cicero's speech required, would consider identifying the praetorian candidate of 63 and the monetalis of 74. See above, on C. Postumius (12); Sumner, Orators 144-145; cf. Phoenix 25, 1971, 254, note 26; Shackleton Bailey, CLA 4.310; Studies 58-60. (Broughton MRR III)

Status

  • Patrician?
  • Nobilis Expand

    Sall. Ep. Ad Caes. 9.4

Career

  • Praetor before 53 (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • 2 On Aelius Tubero, Cotta (perhaps but not certainly referred to in QF 3.8.6, where Ms reading Gutta is emended to Cotta, as a possible candidate for the consulship of 52), and Postumius, see Hölzl 66f., Stella Maranca 332; and Wehrmarm 68, on Domitius, 71, on Cotta and Tubero, and 72, on Fannius. Nonius Sufenas, Fannius, Voconius, and Sestius are named in Cic. Att. 8.15.3, all with imperium in March of 49, and Postumius was in February directed to succeed Furfanius in Sicily (Att. 7.15.2). On Postumius, who was temporarily prominent between 51 and 49, see Sall. Ad Caes. 2.9.4, now dated with probability by Carlson to 51 B. C. (Eine Denkschrift an Caesar 4ber den Staat [Lund, 1936] 12-26). (Broughton MRR II)
    • The appearance of the members of this group as Promagistrates in various provinces and commands in 49 after the passage of Pompey's law making mandatory an interval of five years between the city magistracy and the provincial command, suggests that they had held the praetorship by or before 54 B. C. Fannius at least had good prospects of attaining the praetorship when he was referred to in 56 (see above). It is not clear how far the emergency caused exemptions from the law in 49, nor does it appear to have applied to the magistrates in office in 52. (Broughton MRR II)
  • Praetor before 49 (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • Sall. Ad Cae..9. 2.9.4; Cic. Fam. 7.15.2. See 54, Praetors, and 49, Promagistrates. (Broughton MRR II)
    • p. 750, footnote 339 (Brennan 2000)
  • Legatus (Lieutenant)? 49 Sicilia (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • He was ordered to take charge of Sicily, but refused to go without Cato (Cic. Att. 7.15.2; see Promagistrates, on Cato). He was a senator of some influence, and so probably a praetorian Legate. See above, Proniagistrates. (Broughton MRR II)
  • Promagistrate 49 Sicilia (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • Though named by the Senate to succeed Furfanius in Sicily (Cic. Att. 7.15.2), he refused to go without Cato, and insisted on the importance of remaining in the Senate to debate the terms which Caesar offered late in January (see Legates, Envoys). He is probably the senator named in Sallust Ad Caes. 2.9.4, where the order indicates that he was senior to Favonius, a Praetor in this year (see above, Praetors). (Broughton MRR II)