Gaius Claudius Marcellus Maior

Gaius Claudius Marcellus (Maior) (before 91 BCE - c. 48 BCE) was a Consul of the Roman Republic in 49 BCE. He is known to historians as C. Claudius Marcellus Major to distinguish him from his homonymous cousin (with whom he is readily confused), Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor, one of the Consuls of the previous year.

The Claudii Marcelli were a plebeian family, members of the nobiles with a long history of consulships throughout the history of the Republic. Following a century without the family reaching the consulship, three Claudii Marcelli were Consuls in succession: in 51 BCE Marcus Claudius Marcellus (the brother of Gaius Marcellus); in 50 BCE Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor (their cousin); and in 49 BCE Gaius Marcellus himself.

Gaius Marcellus was born sometime before 91 BCE. His father was M. Claudius Marcellus, curule aedile of 91; his great-grandfather was M. Claudius Marcellus who was three times consul, and whose own grandfather – also a M. Claudius Marcellus – was five times consul and fought against Hannibal in Italy.

Nothing is known of his earlier life, any military service, or his quaestorship and entry to the Senate, although he may have been the candidate in opposition to Clodius for the curule aedileship of 56 BCE of whom, on 23 November, Cicero wrote “The candidate Marcellus is snoring so loud that I can hear him next door” (although the other two contemporary Claudii Marcelli are also possibles).

Marcellus must have held the praetorship at the latest in 52 BCE, but he could have held the office some years before – there is no mention of this in the historical record.

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