Lucius Aurelius Cotta (consul 65 BC)

Quick Facts: Who was Lucius Aurelius Cotta (consul 65 BC)?

Subject:

Lucius Aurelius Cotta (consul 65 BC)

Known for:

Prominent Roman politician who served as Consul in 65 BC and held high magistracies.

Died:

100 BC

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lucius Aurelius Cotta was a Roman politician from an old noble family who held the offices of praetor (70 BC), consul (65 BC) and censor (64 BC). Both his father and grandfather of the same name had been consuls, and his two brothers, Gaius Aurelius Cotta and Marcus Aurelius Cotta, preceded him as consul in 75 and 74 BC respectively. His sister, Aurelia, was the mother of dictator, Julius Caesar. While praetor in 70 BC, he brought in a law for the reform of the jury lists, by which the judices were to be selected, not from the senators exclusively as limited by Sulla, but from senators, equites and tribuni aerarii.

Career & Major Achievements

One-third were to be senators, and two-thirds men of equestrian census, one-half of whom must have been tribuni aerarii, a body as to whose functions there is no certain evidence, although in Cicero's time they were reckoned by courtesy amongst the equites. In 66 BC, Cotta and Lucius Manlius Torquatus accused the consuls-elect, Publius Cornelius Sulla and Publius Autronius Paetus, for the following year of bribery in connection with the elections; they were condemned and Cotta and Torquatus chosen in their places. The year after his consulship, in 64 BC, he was elected censor, but he and his colleague abdicated on account of the machinations of the tribunes.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the suppression of the Catilinarian conspiracy, Cotta proposed a public thanksgiving for Cicero's services, and after the latter had gone into exile, supported the view that there was no need of a law for his recall, since the law of Clodius was legally worthless. He subsequently attached himself to his nephew, Caesar, and it was reported that Cotta (who was then quindecimvir) intended to propose that Caesar should receive the title of king, it being written in the Sibylline Oracles that the Parthians could only be defeated by a king. Cotta's intention was not carried out in consequence of Caesar's assassination, after which he retired from public life.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 100 BC: Passing & Historical Legacy — Lucius Aurelius Cotta (consul 65 BC) passed away on -100, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lucius Aurelius Cotta (consul 65 BC)

True or False: “Lucius Aurelius Cotta was the only member of his family to hold the consulship during his lifetime.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His two brothers, Gaius and Marcus Aurelius Cotta, preceded him as consul in 75 BC and 74 BC, respectively.

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• Cunobelinus — Contemporary (Born in -100) (-100): A powerful pre-Roman British king, known for controlling southeastern Britain.
• Gaius Antonius Hybrida — Contemporary (Died in -100) (-100): Roman politician and consul in 63 BC; uncle of Mark Antony.
• Lucius Cincius Alimentus — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Founding Roman annalist and jurist, known for the Cincian Law.
• Lucius Junius Brutus — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Semi-legendary founder of the Roman Republic and first consul.
• Lucius Manlius Torquatus (consul 65 BC) — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Patrician consul in 65 BC; prominent figure during the late Roman Republic.
• -100 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -100

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