 |
Quintus Publilius PhiloRoman general
Country:
 Italy |
Content:
- Quintus Publilius Philo
- Political Reforms
- Plebeians could hold the office of praetor.
- Plebeians could vote in the Centuriate Assembly for all laws.
- War with Paleopolis
- Third and Fourth Consulships
- Legacy
Quintus Publilius Philo
Early Life and Military CareerDuring the Second Latin War in 339 BC, Quintus Publilius served as consul and led Roman forces to victory at the Battle of the Fucine Lake. This triumph earned him a triumphal procession.
Political Reforms
As dictator in 339 BC, Publilius sponsored three laws (Publiliae Leges) that significantly limited the power of the patricians:
Plebeians could hold the office of praetor.
Plebeian laws passed by the Tribal Assembly were binding on all citizens.
Plebeians could vote in the Centuriate Assembly for all laws.
Pretorship and CensorshipIn 337 BC, Publilius became the first plebeian praetor, and in 332 BC, he served as censor, overseeing the census and enrolling new citizens. Two new tribes, the Maecia and Scaptia, were added to the Roman state.
War with Paleopolis
As consul in 327 BC, Publilius led a campaign against the Greek colony of Paleopolis in southern Italy. He besieged the city, but failed to capture it within the year. The Senate granted him an extension of command as proconsul. In 326 BC, with the help of Greek defectors, Publilius captured Paleopolis and celebrated a triumph.
Third and Fourth Consulships
In 320 BC, Publilius was elected consul a third time. He and his colleague, Lucius Papirius Cursor, avenged Rome's previous defeat at the Caudine Forks by defeating the Samnites and capturing Luceria.
In 315 BC, Publilius served as consul for a fourth time, but remained in Rome and did not engage in military campaigns.
Legacy
Quintus Publilius Philo played a pivotal role in Roman history. His military victories expanded Roman territory, and his political reforms broke the domination of the patricians and paved the way for greater equality within the Roman republic.
