Lightboxes
Cart
alb3814661

Publius Claudius Pulcher and the Sacred Chickens, 246 BC

Publius Claudius Pulcher (died 249/246 BC) was a Roman general. His father was Gaius Claudius. He was the first of the Claudii to be given the cognomen Pulcher (handsome). He was curule aedile in 253 BC and consul in 249. As consul he was given command of the Roman fleet during the First Punic War. He lost the Battle of Drepana against the Carthaginians after ignoring a bad omen when the sacred chickens refused to eat. According to Valerius Maximus, Suetonius and Cicero, Claudius threw them into the sea, "ut biberent, quando esse nollent" (so that they might drink, since they refused to eat). He was recalled to Rome and ordered to appoint a dictator; his nomination of his subordinate Marcus Claudius Glicia was overruled. He was tried for incompetence and impiety and was fined, and died soon afterwards, possibly by suicide.
Share
pinterestPinterest
twitterTwitter
facebookFacebook
emailEmail

Add to another lightbox

Add to another lightbox
add to lightbox print share
Do you already have an account? Sign in
You do not have an account? Register
Buy this image. Select the use:
Loading...
Title:
Publius Claudius Pulcher and the Sacred Chickens, 246 BC
Caption:
Publius Claudius Pulcher (died 249/246 BC) was a Roman general. His father was Gaius Claudius. He was the first of the Claudii to be given the cognomen Pulcher (handsome). He was curule aedile in 253 BC and consul in 249. As consul he was given command of the Roman fleet during the First Punic War. He lost the Battle of Drepana against the Carthaginians after ignoring a bad omen when the sacred chickens refused to eat. According to Valerius Maximus, Suetonius and Cicero, Claudius threw them into the sea, "ut biberent, quando esse nollent" (so that they might drink, since they refused to eat). He was recalled to Rome and ordered to appoint a dictator; his nomination of his subordinate Marcus Claudius Glicia was overruled. He was tried for incompetence and impiety and was fined, and died soon afterwards, possibly by suicide.
Category:
ILLUSTRATION • black & white • History: Personalities
Credit:
Album / Science Source / New York Public Library
Releases:
? Model Release: No - ? Property Release: No
Rights questions?
Image size:
3708 x 2766 px | 29.3 MB
Print size:
31.4 x 23.4 cm | 12.4 x 9.2 in (300 dpi)
Keywords: