Battle of Bovillae
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Bovillae was a term that Cicero
used to describe a fight between the gangs of Clodius
and Milo
on January 18, 52 BC. The two were bitter political rivals—Clodius was a candidate for the praetorship and Milo the consulship. They met by accident on the road near Bovillae
, both being accompanied by armed supporters. In the fighting that ensued, Clodius was killed, setting off a storm of violence in Rome.
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
used to describe a fight between the gangs of Clodius
Publius Clodius Pulcher
Publius Clodius Pulcher was a Roman politician known for his popularist tactics...
and Milo
Titus Annius Milo
Titus Annius Milo Papianus was a Roman political agitator, the son of Gaius Papius Celsus, but adopted by his maternal grandfather, Titus Annius Luscus...
on January 18, 52 BC. The two were bitter political rivals—Clodius was a candidate for the praetorship and Milo the consulship. They met by accident on the road near Bovillae
Bovillae
Bovillae was an ancient town in Lazio, central Italy, currently part of the Frattocchie frazione in the municipality of Marino.It was a station on the Via Appia , located c. 18 km SE of Rome. It was a colony of Alba Longa, and appears as one of the thirty cities of the Latin league...
, both being accompanied by armed supporters. In the fighting that ensued, Clodius was killed, setting off a storm of violence in Rome.