Ovius and Novius Calavius
Encyclopedia
Ovius and Novius Calavius, brothers, were the sons of Ofilius Calavius
, a Campania
n nobleman during the Second Samnite War
. They conspired to mount an insurrection against the Romans
, but when their conspiracy was discovered, and steps taken to prevent their plan from coming to fruition, they did away with themselves rather than face arrest.
, where both consuls
were obliged to surrender their army and pass under the yoke. The Romans were escorted to the borders of Campania and allowed to return home with their lives. Ofilius Calavius, father of the two brothers, warned that the sting of their defeat would likely be erased only with the return of Roman arms and the renewal of the war.
After five years' peace, the war was resumed. In 314 B.C. a number of plots against the Romans were suspected and investigated. These may have been encouraged by the harsh treatment of Luceria
, whose inhabitants had given up the Roman garrison to the Samnites.
, the alarm wrought by the potential defection of a nominal ally prompted the appointment of a dictator
. Gaius Maenius
, who had been consul in 338 B.C., was nominated, and as his magister equitum
he chose Marcus Foslius Flaccinator. Before the dictator's investigation could begin, and evidence could be given against them, the brothers took their own lives, thereby escaping trial.
Ofilius Calavius
Ofilius Calavius Ovi f. was a Campanian nobleman during the Second Samnite War. Following the disaster of the Caudine Forks, where both Roman consuls were obliged to surrender their army and pass under the yoke, opinions in Campania were divided as to whether the defeat would forever halt the...
, a Campania
Campania
Campania is a region in southern Italy. The region has a population of around 5.8 million people, making it the second-most-populous region of Italy; its total area of 13,590 km² makes it the most densely populated region in the country...
n nobleman during the Second Samnite War
Samnite Wars
The First, Second, and Third Samnite Wars, between the early Roman Republic and the tribes of Samnium, extended over half a century, involving almost all the states of Italy, and ended in Roman domination of the Samnites...
. They conspired to mount an insurrection against the Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
, but when their conspiracy was discovered, and steps taken to prevent their plan from coming to fruition, they did away with themselves rather than face arrest.
Background
In 321 B.C. the Romans had suffered a humiliating defeat at the Caudine ForksBattle of the Caudine Forks
The Battle of Caudine Forks, 321 BC, was a decisive event of the Second Samnite War. Its designation as a battle is a mere historical formality: there was no fighting and there were no casualties. The Romans were trapped in a waterless place by the Samnites before they knew what was happening and...
, where both consuls
Roman consul
A consul served in the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic.Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague and the officials would alternate each month...
were obliged to surrender their army and pass under the yoke. The Romans were escorted to the borders of Campania and allowed to return home with their lives. Ofilius Calavius, father of the two brothers, warned that the sting of their defeat would likely be erased only with the return of Roman arms and the renewal of the war.
After five years' peace, the war was resumed. In 314 B.C. a number of plots against the Romans were suspected and investigated. These may have been encouraged by the harsh treatment of Luceria
Lucera
Lucera is a town and comune in the Province of Foggia, in the Apulia region of southern Italy.-Ancient era and early Middle Ages :Lucera is an ancient city founded in Daunia, the centre of Dauni territory . Archeological excavations show the presence of a bronze age village inside the city boundaries...
, whose inhabitants had given up the Roman garrison to the Samnites.
The conspiracy
At Capua, Ovius and Novius Calavius conspired with other Capuan nobles to mount an insurgency against the Romans. When this plot was discovered and reported to the Roman SenateRoman Senate
The Senate of the Roman Republic was a political institution in the ancient Roman Republic, however, it was not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the consuls, and later by the censors. After a magistrate served his term in office, it usually was followed with automatic...
, the alarm wrought by the potential defection of a nominal ally prompted the appointment of a dictator
Roman dictator
In the Roman Republic, the dictator , was an extraordinary magistrate with the absolute authority to perform tasks beyond the authority of the ordinary magistrate . The office of dictator was a legal innovation originally named Magister Populi , i.e...
. Gaius Maenius
Gaius Maenius
Gaius Maenius was a Roman statesman and general.When consul in 338 BC, Gaius Maenius completed the subjugation of Latium, which with Campania had revolted against Rome. He was honored by a triumph, and an extremely phallic column was erected to him in the Forum...
, who had been consul in 338 B.C., was nominated, and as his magister equitum
Master of the Horse
The Master of the Horse was a position of varying importance in several European nations.-Magister Equitum :...
he chose Marcus Foslius Flaccinator. Before the dictator's investigation could begin, and evidence could be given against them, the brothers took their own lives, thereby escaping trial.