Decianus

• a Roman surname, Cic. Rab. perd. 9, 24; id. Fl. 32, 77; Tac. A. 14, 32.

1. C. Appuleius Decianus was tribune of the people in B. C. 90. In that year he brought a charge against L. Valerius Flaccus, the nature of which is unknown. He also brought an accusation against L. Furius, one of the tribunes of the year previous, who opposed the recall of Metellus Numidicus. It seems to have been on this occasion that he lamented before the public assembly the fate of L. Appuleius Saturninus and Servilius Glaucia, and endeavoured to create disturbances to avenge their death. In consequence of these proceedings he himself was condemned, and went into exile to Pontus, where he engaged in the service of Mithridates. (Cic. pro Ralbir. perd. 9, pro Flacc. 32; Schol. Bobiens. p. 230, ed. Orelli; V. Max. 8.1.2; Appian, App. BC 1.33.)

2. C. Appuleius Decianus, a son of No. 1, lived as negotiator in Asia Minor, at Pergamus, and at Apollonis. He was repeatedly charged with having committed acts of injustice and violence towards the inhabitants of Apollonis, for he appears to have been a person of a very avaricious and insolent character, and in the end he was condemned by the praetor Flaccus, the son of the L. Valerius Flaccus, who had been accused by Decianus, the father. In B. C. 59, Decianus took vengeance upon Flaccus by supporting the charge which D. Laelius brought against him. (Cic. pro Flace. 29-33; Schol. Bobiens. pp. 228, 230, 242, ed. Orelli.) [L.S]

was consul in B. C. 329 with L. Aemilius Mamercinus. It was his province during his consulship to continue the war against Privernum, while his colleague was engaged in raising another army to meet the Gauls, who were reported to be marching south sward. But this report proved to be unfounded, and all the Roman forces were now directed against Privernum. The town was taken, its walls were pulled down, and a strong garrison was left on the spot. On his return Decianus celebrated a triumph. During the discussions in the senate as to what punishment was to be inflicted upon the Privernatans, Decianus humanely endeavoured to alleviate their fate. According to the Fasti, C. Plautius Decianus was consul also in the year following; but Livy mentions in his stead P. Plautius Proculus. In B. C. 312, C. Plautius Decianus was censor with Appius Claudius, and after holding the office eighteen months, he laid it down, in accordance with the lex Aemilia, while Appius Claudius, refusing obedience to the law, remained censor alone. (Liv. 8.20, 22, 9.29, 33; V. Max. 6.2.1; Frontin. de Aquaed. 1.5; Diod. 20.36.) [L.S]

[Catus.]