The date of Hortensius' dictatorship is inferred from its position in Liv. Per. 11 between the account of the lustrum and that of action against Volsinii and Lucania, in 285. (Broughton MRR I)
Named because of a secession of the Plebs to the Janiculum, he induced them to return and carried a law placing all citizens under the authority of plebiscites (Liv. Per. 11; Plin. NH 16.37; Lael. Felix in Gell. 15.27.4; Gaius 1.3; Pomp. Dig. 1.2.2.8; Augustin. CD 3.17; Iustin. Inst. 1.2.4; cf. Cic. Leg. 3.9; Sall. Hist. 3.48.15 M; Diod. 21.18.2; Tac. Ann. 2.37; Dio fr. 37, and Zon. 8.2). He is credited also with a law opening market days for legal business (Gran. Lic. in Macrob. Sat. 1.16.30). Died in office (Liv. Per. 11). (Broughton MRR I)
On the three dictators who are to be dated between 292 and 285, one of whom was probably a Dictator Suffectus after Hortensius, see 285, Dictators. (Broughton MRR I)