Marius Celsus

Family: Roman Senate · Role: consul-elect · First appears: Histories I.40-45

In Histories I.40–45, Marius Celsus, consul-elect of the Roman Senate, remained Galba’s faithful friend even as others demanded his execution. Otho, treating him as an enemy who had fought against his party, faked his arrest and promised a harsher penalty, thereby saving him from immediate death. At the Capitol in I.67–71, Otho pardoned him, publicly reconciled with him, admitted him among his intimate friends, and appointed him one of his generals.

In I.85–90, Otho placed Marius Celsus in command alongside Suetonius Paulinus, Annius Gallus, and Licinius Proculus, and was said to rely on Celsus’s advice in strategy. At Twin Brethren in II.23–26, Paulinus commanded the infantry while Celsus commanded the cavalry in the ambush that routed Caecina’s army; when Otho’s party later decided to take the offensive despite the strategic objections of Celsus and Paulinus, Celsus continued to support Paulinus. After Vitellius’s victory, Celsus was allowed to hold his consulship, despite Caecilius Simplex’s attempt to purchase it and secure Celsus’s destruction.

Relationship record

Life events

• Otho fakes Celsus's arrest and saves him from immediate execution.(Histories I.40-45)
  • With: Otho
  • “So he simulated anger, giving instructions for Celsus' arrest, and by promising that he should meet with a worse penalty, thus rescued him from immediate death.”
• Otho pardoned Marius Celsus and publicly reconciled with him.(Histories I.67-71 · 📍 Capitol)
  • With: Otho
  • “Otho treated him as if there was nothing to pardon. Calling on heaven to witness their reconciliation”
• Otho appointed Marius Celsus as one of his generals.(Histories I.67-71)
  • With: Otho
  • “subsequently gave him an appointment as one of his generals.”
• Otho appointed Suetonius Paulinus, Marius Celsus, Annius Gallus, and Licinius Proculus to command the forces.(Histories I.85-88)
  • With: Otho Suetonius Paulinus Annius Gallus Licinius Proculus
  • “In command of the cavalry and infantry he placed Suetonius Paulinus, Marius Celsus, and Annius Gallus, but the man in whom he put most faith was the Prefect of the Guards, Licinius Proculus.”
• Otho's forces routed Caecina's army after trapping it in an ambush.(Histories II.23-26 · 📍 Twin Brethren)
  • With: Suetonius Paulinus Caecina
  • “At this point Otho's infantry charged, crushed the opposing line, and even routed the troops who were hurrying up in support.”
• Otho's party decides to take the offensive despite Paulinus and Celsus's strategic objections.(Histories II.32-35)
  • With: Otho Suetonius Paulinus
  • “When it was decided to take the offensive, the question arose whether Otho in person should take part in the battle or hold himself in reserve.”