Titus Annius Milo

Titus Annius Milo led the armed gangs that fought Clodius in the streets of Rome and was convicted of his murder in a trial guarded by soldiers. Born around 95 BC at Lanuvium, he was adopted by his maternal grandfather, from whom he took the name Annius, and he entered politics deeply in debt. He was elected tribune in 57 BC and made his career as the optimates' answer to Clodius. Where Clodius commanded the collegia, Milo recruited gladiators and hired men, and the two fought running battles that repeatedly prevented elections and legislation. He was instrumental in recalling Cicero from exile that year, which made Cicero his lifelong advocate. He prosecuted Clodius for public violence without success, and survived several attempts on his life. He stood for the consulship of 52 BC while Clodius stood for the praetorship. On 18 January 52 BC the two parties met by chance on the Appian Way near Bovillae. A scuffle began among the retainers, Clodius was wounded by a spear, and was carried into an inn; Milo, on the reasoning that a wounded Clodius was more dangerous than a dead one, had him dragged out and killed. The crowd in Rome burned his body in the Curia, and Pompey was appointed sole consul and brought troops into the city. Milo was tried under a new procedure with a shortened timetable. Cicero had written a defence and was reportedly so unnerved by the soldiers surrounding the court that he delivered it badly. Milo was convicted and exiled to Massilia. Sent the published speech, he is said to have remarked that he was glad it had not been delivered, or he would not be eating such good mullet.

• Lived: 95 BCE – 48 BCE
• Nationality: Roman
• Roles: tribune, gang_leader