Manlius first held the
imperium in 405 BC as one of six consular tribunes. His colleagues in the office were
Titus Quinctius Capitolinus Barbatus,
Quintus Quintius Cincinnatus,
Gaius Julius Iulus,
Lucius Furius Medullinus and
Manius Aemilius Mamercinus; Manlius was the only newcomer to the
imperium, as all of his colleagues were
consulares, the college was also unique in that it was the first year there were six consular tribunes. This year saw the beginning of the long and drawn out
Siege of Veii.
Diodorus has
Mamilius instead of Manlius as consular tribune and only has the college consist of three members this year, which is believed to be a mistake by the ancient historian or by later transcribers. There is some doubt among modern scholars in regards to the historicity of these consular colleges of six and there are indications of a higher degree of interpolation during this period. Manlius would be re-elected to the tribuneship in 402 BC, again as part of a six-man consular college. His colleagues were
Gaius Servilius Ahala,
Quintus Servilius Fidenas,
Lucius Verginius Tricostus Esquilinus,
Quintus Sulpicius Camerinus Cornutus and
Manius Sergius Fidenas. There was much infighting between the consulars which would lead to the defeat of Sergius at Veii because his colleague Verginius refused him aid. Ahala, took matters into his own hands and forced the abdication of the entire college, including Manlius, to be replaced by a newly elected college. Diodorus only lists five members in his college of 402 BC and omits Q. Servilius. The defeat of the Romans at Veii should be treated as historical, but the reason (such as the rivalry between Sergius and Verginius) provided by ancient authors, such as
Livy, should be viewed critically and sceptically, similar scepticism should be directed at the actions of Ahala. Manlius was elected for a third and final term as consular tribune in 397 BC. He shared the office with his old co-consular Furius and four newcomers,
Lucius Julius Iulus,
Lucius Sergius Fidenas,
Aulus Postumius Albinus Regillensis and
Publius Cornelius Maluginensis. The year saw the return of an embassy of
consulares sent to
Delphi the previous year and war with several of Rome's neighbours. This included the
Volsci,
Aequi,
Veii,
Falisci,
Capenates and the
Tarquinii. Manlius and his colleagues were forced to abdicate because of faults in the election process and a new college was appointed. Julius and Furius is not included among the names provided by Diodorus on his college of 397 BC. Manlius is last mentioned in our sources as one of three ambassadors sent to Delphi in 394 BC to give offerings to
Apollo for the successful
capture of Veii in 396 BC. The embassy consisted of Manlius and his two colleagues
Lucius Valerius Potitus and Lucius Sergius Fidenas (his co-consular in 397 BC). The embassy was to convey an offering to the
Oracle of Delphi and to Apollo but was captured by
Liparean pirates under the command of the sicilian Greek
Timasitheus. The pirates seems to have had a change of heart when they learned of the purpose of the embassy and the three
consulares were released to continue their journey. This episode should be treated as largely historical as there are a few archaeological and inscriptiorial evidences connected with it. Although there is some disagreement between the sources in regards to the year, Diodorus gives 396 and Livy 394 BC, and the composition of the embassy as only Livy gives us names. == See also ==