Gaius Octavius (tribune 216 BC)

Gaius Octavius (fl. 216 BC) was a Roman army officer who was active during the third century BC. He was the son of the equestrian Gaius Octavius and grandson of the quaestor Gnaeus Octavius Rufus, also the father of Velitrae's magistrate Gaius Octavius, grandfather of praetor Gaius Octavius and great-grandfather of Roman emperor Augustus (reigning 27 BC - 14 AD). When Marcus Antonius tried to show his contempt against Augustus, he said that Octavius was a freedman and rope-maker from Thurii.[1][2]

Gaius Octavius
CitizenshipAncient Rome
OccupationMilitary tribune
Years active216 BC
EraRepublic
ChildrenGaius Octavius
Parent(s)
  • Gaius Octavius (father)
RelativesGnaeus Octavius Rufus (paternal grandfather);
Gnaeus Octavius (paternal uncle);
Gnaeus Octavius (first cousin)

During the Second Punic War, Octavius served as military tribune and participated in the disastrous battle of Cannae, being one of few survivors. When the Carthaginians marched into the Roman camp, Octavius and his colleague, tribune P. Sempronius Tuditanus, managed to cut their way through the enemy and arrived safely in Canusium. He served in Sicilia (modern Sicily) under the praetor Lucius Aemilius Papus in 205 BC, but it is unknown whether he took part in some other expedition.[1][2]

See also
  • Octavia (gens)
  • Family tree of the Octavii Rufi

References
  1. Smith 1870, p. 9
  2. Suetonius 121, 2.2

Bibliography
  • ^ Smith, William (1870). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. III. Archived from the original on 2015-04-05.
  • ^ Suetonius (121). The Life of Augustus.


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