Publius Servilius Rullus (cavalry leader)
Encyclopedia
Publius Servilius Rullus was a member of the Roman gens Servilia
and in 40 BC a cavalry leader of Octavian (the future Emperor Augustus
).
He was probably a son of the tribunus plebis of the same name
and is only mentioned in autumn 40 BC as cavalry leader of Octavian. In the winter 41/40 BC Octavian had won the Perusinian War against Lucius Antonius
and Fulvia
, who were the brother and the wife of the triumvir Mark Antony
respectively. A half year later, in autumn 40 BC, Mark Antony returned from his sojourn in the East of the Roman Empire
, but was not allowed to land with his fleet in the harbour of Brundisium
. Therefore he laid siege to this city and meanwhile captured Sipontum
. Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
, a close friend of Octavian and able general, could retake Sipontum, but Rullus, who commanded 1500 horsemen, lost a cavalry battle near the town of Hyria, although Antony had only 400 riders at his side. The triumvirs soon settled their conflict temporary by concluding the treaty of Brundisium. Later Rullus does not appear in any sources.
Servilia (gens)
The gens Servilia was a patrician family at Rome. The gens was celebrated during the early ages of the Republic, and the names of few gentes appear more frequently at this period in the consular Fasti. It continued to produce men of influence in the state down to the latest times of the Republic,...
and in 40 BC a cavalry leader of Octavian (the future Emperor Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
).
He was probably a son of the tribunus plebis of the same name
Servilius Rullus
Publius Servilius Rullus Roman tribune of the people in 63 BC, proposed one of the most far-reaching agrarian laws brought forward in Roman history....
and is only mentioned in autumn 40 BC as cavalry leader of Octavian. In the winter 41/40 BC Octavian had won the Perusinian War against Lucius Antonius
Lucius Antonius (brother of Mark Antony)
Lucius Antonius was the younger brother and supporter of Mark Antony, a Roman politician.Lucius was son of Marcus Antonius Creticus, son of the rhetorician Marcus Antonius Orator executed by Gaius Marius' supporters in 86 BC, and Julia Antonia, a cousin of Julius Caesar...
and Fulvia
Fulvia
Fulvia Flacca Bambula , commonly referred to as simply Fulvia, was an aristocratic Roman woman who lived during the Late Roman Republic. Through her marriage to three of the most promising Roman men of her generation, Publius Clodius Pulcher, Gaius Scribonius Curio and Mark Antony, she gained...
, who were the brother and the wife of the triumvir Mark Antony
Mark Antony
Marcus Antonius , known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and general. As a military commander and administrator, he was an important supporter and loyal friend of his mother's cousin Julius Caesar...
respectively. A half year later, in autumn 40 BC, Mark Antony returned from his sojourn in the East of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
, but was not allowed to land with his fleet in the harbour of Brundisium
Brindisi
Brindisi is a city in the Apulia region of Italy, the capital of the province of Brindisi, off the coast of the Adriatic Sea.Historically, the city has played an important role in commerce and culture, due to its position on the Italian Peninsula and its natural port on the Adriatic Sea. The city...
. Therefore he laid siege to this city and meanwhile captured Sipontum
Siponto
Siponto was an ancient port town of Apulia in southern Italy. The town was abandoned after earthquakes in the 13th century; today the area is administered as a frazione of the comune of Manfredonia, in the province of Foggia...
. Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was a Roman statesman and general. He was a close friend, son-in-law, lieutenant and defense minister to Octavian, the future Emperor Caesar Augustus...
, a close friend of Octavian and able general, could retake Sipontum, but Rullus, who commanded 1500 horsemen, lost a cavalry battle near the town of Hyria, although Antony had only 400 riders at his side. The triumvirs soon settled their conflict temporary by concluding the treaty of Brundisium. Later Rullus does not appear in any sources.