Publius Clodius Pulcher

Publius Clodius Pulcher was a patrician who had himself adopted into a plebeian family in order to become a tribune, and ran Rome through organised street violence. Born around 93 BC into the Claudii Pulchri, one of the oldest families in the city, he served in the east and was accused of inciting a mutiny against his brother-in-law Lucullus. In December 62 BC he was caught in disguise at the rites of the Bona Dea, a festival from which men were absolutely excluded, held that year in Julius Caesar's house. He was tried for sacrilege and acquitted, on a jury Crassus is said to have bribed. Cicero destroyed his alibi in evidence, and Clodius never forgave him. Caesar divorced his wife, remarking that Caesar's wife must be above suspicion. He was adopted by a plebeian younger than himself in 59 BC with Caesar's help, and was elected tribune for 58 BC. His legislation was radical: free grain for the urban poor rather than subsidised, the restoration of the collegia — neighbourhood associations he converted into organised gangs — restrictions on magistrates blocking legislation by religious obstruction, and a law outlawing anyone who had executed citizens without trial, which drove Cicero into exile. For the next several years he and his rival Milo fought pitched battles in the streets with armed followers, and elections were repeatedly prevented. In January 52 BC he met Milo's party on the Appian Way, was wounded and killed. The crowd cremated him in the senate house, which burned down, and Pompey was made sole consul to restore order.

• Lived: 93 BCE – 52 BCE
• Nationality: Roman
• Roles: tribune, populist_politician