Plutarch
informs us (Timol.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - b
Their year of office was one of 4.
M'.
AEMILIUS MAM.
F.
M.
N.
MAMER-
considerable agitation, on account of the agrarian CINUS, son of No. 3, was consul in B. C. 410 with
law and the trial of App. Claudius. Tib. Mamercus C. Valerius Potitus Volusus. (Liv. iv. 53 ; Diod.
supported the law along with his father, because xiii. 76. ) He was also three times consular tribune,
the latter had been wronged by the senate. first in B. C. 405, a second time in B. C. 403, and a
[No. 1. ] He also led an army into the country of third time in B. C. 401. (Liv. iv. 61, v. 1, 10. )
the Sabines, but did not perform anything of 5. C. AEMILIUS TIB. F. Tib. N. MAMERCINUS,
consequence. (Liv. ii. 61, 62 ; Dionys. ix. 51, consular tribune in' B. C. 394, carried on the war
55 ; Diod. xi. 69. ) He was consul a second time with his colleague Sp. Postumius Albinus against
in B. C. 467 with 'Q. Fabius Vibulanus, and again the Aequi. He was consular tribune again in B. C
## p. 911 (#927) ############################################
MAMERCINUS.
911
MAMERTINUS.
391, when, in conjunction with his colleague MAMERCUS (Mauepkos), according to one
C. Lucretius, he conquered the people of Volsinii. tradition a son of king Numa, who chose this name
(Liv, v. 26, 28, 32 ; Diod. xiv. 97, 107. ) because one of the so118 of Pythagoras likewise bore
6. L. Aemilius Mam. f. M. n. MAMERCINUS, | it. (Plut. Num. 8 ; Paul. Diac. p. 23, ed. Müller. )
son of No. 3, was consular tribune seven times, Another tradition made Mamercus a son of Mars
first in B. C. 391 (Fast. Capit. ), a second time in and Sylvia. (Plut. Parull. Gr. et Rom. 26. )
389, a third time in 387, a fourth time in 363, a Festus says that Mamercus was a praenomen
fifth time in 382, a sixth time in 380, and a among the Oscans, who called the god Mars, Mamers.
seventh time in 377. (Liv. vi. 1, 5, 21, 22, 27, But it would seem that Marcius or Mamercus was
32. )
the common name for indigenous boothsayers and
7. L. AEMILIUS L. P. Mam. N. MAMERCINUS, founders of new forms of religious worship, for it
son of No. 6, was magister equitum to the dictator occurs in many instances of this kind. (Hartung,
M. Furius Camillus, B. c. 368. He was consul in Die Rel. der Köm, vol. i. p. 129. ) (L. S. )
1. C. 366 with L. Sextius Lateranus, who was the MAMERCUS (Máulepkos), tyrant of Catana,
first plebeian elected to this dignity, in accordance at the time when Timoleon landed in Sicily, B. C.
with the Licinian law, which had been recently 344. He is termed by Plutarch a man both war-
passed. He was again elected to the consulship in like and wealthy. After the defeat of Hicetas at
B. C. 363, with Cn. Genucius Aventinensis. (Liv. Adranum by Timoleon, Mamerous joined the
vi. 38, vii. 1, 3 ; Diod. xv. 82, xvi. 2. )
latter and concluded a treaty of alliance with him.
8. L. A EMILIUS L. F. L. N. MAMERCINUS, son But when Timoleon had not only made himself
of No. 7, was interrex in B. C. 353, and magister master of Syracuse, but defeated the Carthaginians
equitum to C. Julius Julus in B. c. 352. (Liv. vii. in the great battle of the Crimissus (B. C. 339),
17, 21. )
Mamercus became apprehensive that his object
9. L. AEMILIUS L. F. L. N. MANERCINUS was nothing less than the complete expulsion of
PRIVERNAS, the son of No. 8, a distinguished all the tyrants from Sicily, and in consequence
general in the Samnite wars, was consul for the concluded a league with Hicetas and the Cartha-
first time in B. c. 341 with C. Plautius Venno ginians to oppose his progress. They at first ob-
Hypsaeus, in which year he merely laid waste the tained a partial success, and cut to pieces a body
Samnite territory. In B. c. 335 he was elected of mercenaries in the Syracusan service ; but Hi-
dictator, for the purpose of holding the comitia as cetas was defeated by Timoleon, and soon after
the consuls were absent from Rome. In B. C. 329 fell into his hands ; after which the Corinthian
he was consul a second time with C. Plautius De- leader marched against Catana Mamercus met
cianus. There was great alarm at Rome at this him in the field, but was defeated with heavy loss,
time, in consequence of a report that the Gauls and the Carthaginians now concluded a peace with
were marching southward. Accordingly, while Timoleon. Thus abandoned by his allies Mamer-
Decianus proceeded against Privernum, which con- cus despaired of success, and fled to Messana,
tinued to prolong its resistance, Mamercinus began where he took refuge with Hippon, tyrant of that
to levy a large army, in order to oppose the Gauls; city. Timoleon, however, quickly followed, and
but as the report of the Gaulish inroad proved to laid siege to Messana both by sea and land, where
be unfounded, both consuls united their forces upon Hippon took to flight, and Mamercus sur-
against Privernum. The town was taken, and rendered to the Corinthian general, stipulating
Mamercinus as well as his colleague obtained a only for a regular trial before the Syracusans.
triumph in consequence. The capture of this town But as soon as he was brought into the assembly
must have been regarded as a very glorious of the people there, he was condemned by accla-
achievement, since Mamercinus received the sur-mation, and executed like a common malefactor.
name of Privernas, and the Plautii preserved the (Plut. Timol. 13, 30, 31, 34; Diod. xvi. 69, 82 ;
recollection of it upon their coins. In B. C. 316 Corn. Nep. Timol. 2. ) We may, perhaps, infer
Mamercinus was again elected dictator, and fought from an expression of Cornelius Nepos, that Ma
against the Samnites with success. (Liv. viii. 1, mercus was not a Sicilian by birth, but had first
16, 20, ix. 21. )
come to the island as a leader of Italian mercena-
10. TIB. AEMILIUS TIB. F. TIB. N. MAMERCI-ries.
Plutarch informs us (Timol. 31) that he
NUS, consul B. c. 339 with Q. Publilius Philo. prided himself much upon his skill in poetry, ap-
Aemilius, invested his colleague with the dictator- parently with but little reason, if we may judge
ship, for the purpose of depriving the curiae of a from the two verses preserved to us by that
great part of their power. (See Dict. of Ant. 8. v. author.
(E. H. B. )
Publiliae Leges. ) Livy attributes the appointment MAMERCUS, AEMILIUS. [MAMERCINUS. ]
of Publilius by Aemilius to disappointment on the MAMERCUS SCAURUS. [SCAURUS. ]
part of the latter, who had been refused a triumph MAMERS was the Oscan name of the god Mars.
by the senate ; but respecting the real reason for (Paul. Diac. p. 131, ed. Müller. ) Varro De Ling.
this step, bee Niebuhr, Hist. of Rome, vol. iii. p. Lat. v. 73; comp. Plut. Num. 21), on the other
146, &c. (Liv, viii. 12. )
band, calls Mamers the Sabine name of the god.
MAMERCI'NUS, PINA'RIUS. 1. P. Pi- The Romans worshipped Mamers as a rustic di-
NARIUS MAMERCINUS Rupus, consul B. C. 489, vinity, and reckoned him among the country Lares.
with C. Julius Julus. (Julus, No. 1. ]
(Cato, de Re Rust. 83, 141. ) The ancients derived
2. L. PINARIUS MAMERCINUS Rufus, consul the name of the Mamertines in Messana from the
B. C. 472 with P. Furius Medullinus Fusus. (Liv. god Mamers.
(L. S. ]
ii. 56; Dionys. ix, 10; Diod. xi. 66 ; Macrob. MAMERTI'NUS. The first piece in the collec-
Saturn. i. 13. )
tion of the “ Panegyrici Veteres" (see DREPANIUS)
3. L. PINARIUS L. f. P. N. MAMERCINUS usually bears the title, Claudii Mamertini Panegy-
Rufus, consular tribune B. C. 432. (Liv. iv. 25; ricus Maximiano Herculio dictus, was spoken on
Diod. xii. 60. )
the 21st of April, in the year a. D. 289, at some
"
## p. 912 (#928) ############################################
912
MAMERTUS.
MAMILIUS.
city of Gaul, probably Trèves, and is addressed to 4. The hymn De Passione Domini, beginning
Maximianus Herculius, at that time actively en- with the words Pange lingua gloriosi praelium ver-
gaged in preparations against Carausius. It must taminis, in the Roman breviary, is ascribed by
be observed that the name Mumertinus is altogether some writers to Mamertus, and by others to Venan-
wanting in several of the best MSS. , and it is tius Fortunatus.
doubtful whether it appears in any of the more 5. The poems Carmen Paschale, Laus Christi,
ancient.
and Miracula Christi, which are printed among the
The second piece in the collection, which stands works of the great poet Claudian, are by some
in printed editions as Cluudii Mamertini Punegy writers likewise attributed to this Claudian Ma-
ricus Genethliacus Maximiano Augusto dictus, is in mertus, but were perhaps written by neither of
honour of the birthday of the emperor, and falls them. (Sidon. Apoll. iv. 2, 3, 11, v. 2; Gennad.
between the first of April, A. D. 291, and the first De Viris Illustr. 83; Trithem. De Script. Eccles.
of March A. D. 292 (Clinton, Fasti Rom, ad ann. 178; Fabric. Biblioth. Med. et Infim. Lat. s. r.
291). In this case it is admitted that none Claudianus ; Bähr, Geschichte d. Römisch. Lite-
of the more ancient MSS. present us with the ratur, Supplement-Band. i. $ 33, ii. $ 169. )
name of Mamertinus, but usually state that it is MAMİ’LIA GENS, plebeian, was originally
by the same author as the preceding, a conclusion one of the most distinguished families in Tusculum,
fully warranted by the general tone, as well as by and indeed in the whole of Latium. It is first
some peculiarities of expression, and indeed there mentioned in the time of the Tarquins ; and it
seems to be in c. 5 a distinct allusion to the former was to a member of this family, Octavius Ma-
discourse.
milius, tbat Tarquinius Superbus betrothed his
The tenth piece in the collection is inscribed, daughter. The Mamilii traced their name and
Mamertini pro Consulatu Gratiarum Actio Juliano origin to the mythical Mamilia, the daughter of
Augusto, belongs to A. D. 362, and was delivered Telegonus, who was regarded as the founder of
at Constantinople, soon after the accession of Julian, Tusculum, and was the reputed son of Ulysses and
by Claudius Mamertinus, consul for the year, who the goddess Circe. (Liv. i. 49; Dionys. iv. 45;
had previously held the offices of praefect of the Festus, p. 130, ed. Müller. ) În B. c. 458 the
Aerarium and praefect of Illyricum, manifestly a Roman citizenship was given to L. Mamilius on
different person from the Claudius Mamertinus of account of bis marching unsummoned two years
the first two orations, if we admit the existence of before to the assistance of the city when it was at-
an individual bearing that appellation as their tacked by Herdonius. (Liv. iii. 18, 29. ) But
author. (See the dissertations prefixed to the although the Mamilii had obtained the Roman
edition of the Panegyrici Veteres, by Schwarzius, franchise, it was some time before any of the mem-
4to. Venet. 1728 ; the Censura XII. Panegyri-bers of the house obtained any of the higher offices
corum Veterum, in the 6th volume of the Opuscula of the state: the first who received the consulship
Academica of Heyne ; and the other authorities was L. Mamilius Vitulus, in B. C. 265, the year
cited under DREPANIUS. )
[W. R. ) before the commencement of the first Punic war.
MAMERTUS (Mápeptos), an ancient surname The gens was divided into three families, LIMB-
of Ares, which must have arisen after the iden- TANUS, TURRINUS, and VITULUS, of which the
tification of the Italian Mamers with the Greek two latter were the most ancient and the most im-
Ares. (Lycoph. 938, 1410. )
[L. S. ] portant. Limetanus, however, is the only surname
MAMERTUS, CLAUDIA’NUS ECDI'- which occurs on coins.
DIUS, was a presbyter in the diocese of Vienne, The mythical origin of the Mamilia gens, which
in France, of which his brother was bishop, and has been mentioned above, is evidently referred to
lived in the middle of the fifth century of our era. in the annexed coin. The obverse represents the
He died about the year 470, and his praises are head of Mercury or Hermes, who was the ancestor
celebrated at great length by Sidonius Apollinaris. of Ulysses, and the reverse Ulysses himself, clad
(Epist. iv. 11. ) His works are as follow :- in a mean and humble dress, that he might not be
1. De Statú Animae, in three books, against the recognised by the suitors. (Eckhel, vol. v. pp. 242,
opinions of Faustus Reiensis. [Faustus, p. 142, 243. )
a) This work was first published by P. Mosel-
lanus, Basil. 1520 ; afterwards by Grynaeus in his
Orthodoxogr. p. 1247; in the Biblioth. Patrum Mar.
Lugdun. vol. vi. p. 1050, &c. , and by Casp. Bar-
thius, Cygneae, 1655.
2. Epistolae. Besides the letter to Sidonius
Apollinaris, in which Mamertus dedicates to him
his work De Statu Animae, there is also another
letter to Sidonius, preserved among the epistles of
the latter. (Epist. iii. 2. ) Sidonius, in his reply
(iii. 3), extols Mamertus and his work in the most MAMILIA'NUS, a friend of the younger Pliny,
extraordinary manner.
to whom the latter addressed two letters (ix. 16,
3.
considerable agitation, on account of the agrarian CINUS, son of No. 3, was consul in B. C. 410 with
law and the trial of App. Claudius. Tib. Mamercus C. Valerius Potitus Volusus. (Liv. iv. 53 ; Diod.
supported the law along with his father, because xiii. 76. ) He was also three times consular tribune,
the latter had been wronged by the senate. first in B. C. 405, a second time in B. C. 403, and a
[No. 1. ] He also led an army into the country of third time in B. C. 401. (Liv. iv. 61, v. 1, 10. )
the Sabines, but did not perform anything of 5. C. AEMILIUS TIB. F. Tib. N. MAMERCINUS,
consequence. (Liv. ii. 61, 62 ; Dionys. ix. 51, consular tribune in' B. C. 394, carried on the war
55 ; Diod. xi. 69. ) He was consul a second time with his colleague Sp. Postumius Albinus against
in B. C. 467 with 'Q. Fabius Vibulanus, and again the Aequi. He was consular tribune again in B. C
## p. 911 (#927) ############################################
MAMERCINUS.
911
MAMERTINUS.
391, when, in conjunction with his colleague MAMERCUS (Mauepkos), according to one
C. Lucretius, he conquered the people of Volsinii. tradition a son of king Numa, who chose this name
(Liv, v. 26, 28, 32 ; Diod. xiv. 97, 107. ) because one of the so118 of Pythagoras likewise bore
6. L. Aemilius Mam. f. M. n. MAMERCINUS, | it. (Plut. Num. 8 ; Paul. Diac. p. 23, ed. Müller. )
son of No. 3, was consular tribune seven times, Another tradition made Mamercus a son of Mars
first in B. C. 391 (Fast. Capit. ), a second time in and Sylvia. (Plut. Parull. Gr. et Rom. 26. )
389, a third time in 387, a fourth time in 363, a Festus says that Mamercus was a praenomen
fifth time in 382, a sixth time in 380, and a among the Oscans, who called the god Mars, Mamers.
seventh time in 377. (Liv. vi. 1, 5, 21, 22, 27, But it would seem that Marcius or Mamercus was
32. )
the common name for indigenous boothsayers and
7. L. AEMILIUS L. P. Mam. N. MAMERCINUS, founders of new forms of religious worship, for it
son of No. 6, was magister equitum to the dictator occurs in many instances of this kind. (Hartung,
M. Furius Camillus, B. c. 368. He was consul in Die Rel. der Köm, vol. i. p. 129. ) (L. S. )
1. C. 366 with L. Sextius Lateranus, who was the MAMERCUS (Máulepkos), tyrant of Catana,
first plebeian elected to this dignity, in accordance at the time when Timoleon landed in Sicily, B. C.
with the Licinian law, which had been recently 344. He is termed by Plutarch a man both war-
passed. He was again elected to the consulship in like and wealthy. After the defeat of Hicetas at
B. C. 363, with Cn. Genucius Aventinensis. (Liv. Adranum by Timoleon, Mamerous joined the
vi. 38, vii. 1, 3 ; Diod. xv. 82, xvi. 2. )
latter and concluded a treaty of alliance with him.
8. L. A EMILIUS L. F. L. N. MAMERCINUS, son But when Timoleon had not only made himself
of No. 7, was interrex in B. C. 353, and magister master of Syracuse, but defeated the Carthaginians
equitum to C. Julius Julus in B. c. 352. (Liv. vii. in the great battle of the Crimissus (B. C. 339),
17, 21. )
Mamercus became apprehensive that his object
9. L. AEMILIUS L. F. L. N. MANERCINUS was nothing less than the complete expulsion of
PRIVERNAS, the son of No. 8, a distinguished all the tyrants from Sicily, and in consequence
general in the Samnite wars, was consul for the concluded a league with Hicetas and the Cartha-
first time in B. c. 341 with C. Plautius Venno ginians to oppose his progress. They at first ob-
Hypsaeus, in which year he merely laid waste the tained a partial success, and cut to pieces a body
Samnite territory. In B. c. 335 he was elected of mercenaries in the Syracusan service ; but Hi-
dictator, for the purpose of holding the comitia as cetas was defeated by Timoleon, and soon after
the consuls were absent from Rome. In B. C. 329 fell into his hands ; after which the Corinthian
he was consul a second time with C. Plautius De- leader marched against Catana Mamercus met
cianus. There was great alarm at Rome at this him in the field, but was defeated with heavy loss,
time, in consequence of a report that the Gauls and the Carthaginians now concluded a peace with
were marching southward. Accordingly, while Timoleon. Thus abandoned by his allies Mamer-
Decianus proceeded against Privernum, which con- cus despaired of success, and fled to Messana,
tinued to prolong its resistance, Mamercinus began where he took refuge with Hippon, tyrant of that
to levy a large army, in order to oppose the Gauls; city. Timoleon, however, quickly followed, and
but as the report of the Gaulish inroad proved to laid siege to Messana both by sea and land, where
be unfounded, both consuls united their forces upon Hippon took to flight, and Mamercus sur-
against Privernum. The town was taken, and rendered to the Corinthian general, stipulating
Mamercinus as well as his colleague obtained a only for a regular trial before the Syracusans.
triumph in consequence. The capture of this town But as soon as he was brought into the assembly
must have been regarded as a very glorious of the people there, he was condemned by accla-
achievement, since Mamercinus received the sur-mation, and executed like a common malefactor.
name of Privernas, and the Plautii preserved the (Plut. Timol. 13, 30, 31, 34; Diod. xvi. 69, 82 ;
recollection of it upon their coins. In B. C. 316 Corn. Nep. Timol. 2. ) We may, perhaps, infer
Mamercinus was again elected dictator, and fought from an expression of Cornelius Nepos, that Ma
against the Samnites with success. (Liv. viii. 1, mercus was not a Sicilian by birth, but had first
16, 20, ix. 21. )
come to the island as a leader of Italian mercena-
10. TIB. AEMILIUS TIB. F. TIB. N. MAMERCI-ries.
Plutarch informs us (Timol. 31) that he
NUS, consul B. c. 339 with Q. Publilius Philo. prided himself much upon his skill in poetry, ap-
Aemilius, invested his colleague with the dictator- parently with but little reason, if we may judge
ship, for the purpose of depriving the curiae of a from the two verses preserved to us by that
great part of their power. (See Dict. of Ant. 8. v. author.
(E. H. B. )
Publiliae Leges. ) Livy attributes the appointment MAMERCUS, AEMILIUS. [MAMERCINUS. ]
of Publilius by Aemilius to disappointment on the MAMERCUS SCAURUS. [SCAURUS. ]
part of the latter, who had been refused a triumph MAMERS was the Oscan name of the god Mars.
by the senate ; but respecting the real reason for (Paul. Diac. p. 131, ed. Müller. ) Varro De Ling.
this step, bee Niebuhr, Hist. of Rome, vol. iii. p. Lat. v. 73; comp. Plut. Num. 21), on the other
146, &c. (Liv, viii. 12. )
band, calls Mamers the Sabine name of the god.
MAMERCI'NUS, PINA'RIUS. 1. P. Pi- The Romans worshipped Mamers as a rustic di-
NARIUS MAMERCINUS Rupus, consul B. C. 489, vinity, and reckoned him among the country Lares.
with C. Julius Julus. (Julus, No. 1. ]
(Cato, de Re Rust. 83, 141. ) The ancients derived
2. L. PINARIUS MAMERCINUS Rufus, consul the name of the Mamertines in Messana from the
B. C. 472 with P. Furius Medullinus Fusus. (Liv. god Mamers.
(L. S. ]
ii. 56; Dionys. ix, 10; Diod. xi. 66 ; Macrob. MAMERTI'NUS. The first piece in the collec-
Saturn. i. 13. )
tion of the “ Panegyrici Veteres" (see DREPANIUS)
3. L. PINARIUS L. f. P. N. MAMERCINUS usually bears the title, Claudii Mamertini Panegy-
Rufus, consular tribune B. C. 432. (Liv. iv. 25; ricus Maximiano Herculio dictus, was spoken on
Diod. xii. 60. )
the 21st of April, in the year a. D. 289, at some
"
## p. 912 (#928) ############################################
912
MAMERTUS.
MAMILIUS.
city of Gaul, probably Trèves, and is addressed to 4. The hymn De Passione Domini, beginning
Maximianus Herculius, at that time actively en- with the words Pange lingua gloriosi praelium ver-
gaged in preparations against Carausius. It must taminis, in the Roman breviary, is ascribed by
be observed that the name Mumertinus is altogether some writers to Mamertus, and by others to Venan-
wanting in several of the best MSS. , and it is tius Fortunatus.
doubtful whether it appears in any of the more 5. The poems Carmen Paschale, Laus Christi,
ancient.
and Miracula Christi, which are printed among the
The second piece in the collection, which stands works of the great poet Claudian, are by some
in printed editions as Cluudii Mamertini Punegy writers likewise attributed to this Claudian Ma-
ricus Genethliacus Maximiano Augusto dictus, is in mertus, but were perhaps written by neither of
honour of the birthday of the emperor, and falls them. (Sidon. Apoll. iv. 2, 3, 11, v. 2; Gennad.
between the first of April, A. D. 291, and the first De Viris Illustr. 83; Trithem. De Script. Eccles.
of March A. D. 292 (Clinton, Fasti Rom, ad ann. 178; Fabric. Biblioth. Med. et Infim. Lat. s. r.
291). In this case it is admitted that none Claudianus ; Bähr, Geschichte d. Römisch. Lite-
of the more ancient MSS. present us with the ratur, Supplement-Band. i. $ 33, ii. $ 169. )
name of Mamertinus, but usually state that it is MAMİ’LIA GENS, plebeian, was originally
by the same author as the preceding, a conclusion one of the most distinguished families in Tusculum,
fully warranted by the general tone, as well as by and indeed in the whole of Latium. It is first
some peculiarities of expression, and indeed there mentioned in the time of the Tarquins ; and it
seems to be in c. 5 a distinct allusion to the former was to a member of this family, Octavius Ma-
discourse.
milius, tbat Tarquinius Superbus betrothed his
The tenth piece in the collection is inscribed, daughter. The Mamilii traced their name and
Mamertini pro Consulatu Gratiarum Actio Juliano origin to the mythical Mamilia, the daughter of
Augusto, belongs to A. D. 362, and was delivered Telegonus, who was regarded as the founder of
at Constantinople, soon after the accession of Julian, Tusculum, and was the reputed son of Ulysses and
by Claudius Mamertinus, consul for the year, who the goddess Circe. (Liv. i. 49; Dionys. iv. 45;
had previously held the offices of praefect of the Festus, p. 130, ed. Müller. ) În B. c. 458 the
Aerarium and praefect of Illyricum, manifestly a Roman citizenship was given to L. Mamilius on
different person from the Claudius Mamertinus of account of bis marching unsummoned two years
the first two orations, if we admit the existence of before to the assistance of the city when it was at-
an individual bearing that appellation as their tacked by Herdonius. (Liv. iii. 18, 29. ) But
author. (See the dissertations prefixed to the although the Mamilii had obtained the Roman
edition of the Panegyrici Veteres, by Schwarzius, franchise, it was some time before any of the mem-
4to. Venet. 1728 ; the Censura XII. Panegyri-bers of the house obtained any of the higher offices
corum Veterum, in the 6th volume of the Opuscula of the state: the first who received the consulship
Academica of Heyne ; and the other authorities was L. Mamilius Vitulus, in B. C. 265, the year
cited under DREPANIUS. )
[W. R. ) before the commencement of the first Punic war.
MAMERTUS (Mápeptos), an ancient surname The gens was divided into three families, LIMB-
of Ares, which must have arisen after the iden- TANUS, TURRINUS, and VITULUS, of which the
tification of the Italian Mamers with the Greek two latter were the most ancient and the most im-
Ares. (Lycoph. 938, 1410. )
[L. S. ] portant. Limetanus, however, is the only surname
MAMERTUS, CLAUDIA’NUS ECDI'- which occurs on coins.
DIUS, was a presbyter in the diocese of Vienne, The mythical origin of the Mamilia gens, which
in France, of which his brother was bishop, and has been mentioned above, is evidently referred to
lived in the middle of the fifth century of our era. in the annexed coin. The obverse represents the
He died about the year 470, and his praises are head of Mercury or Hermes, who was the ancestor
celebrated at great length by Sidonius Apollinaris. of Ulysses, and the reverse Ulysses himself, clad
(Epist. iv. 11. ) His works are as follow :- in a mean and humble dress, that he might not be
1. De Statú Animae, in three books, against the recognised by the suitors. (Eckhel, vol. v. pp. 242,
opinions of Faustus Reiensis. [Faustus, p. 142, 243. )
a) This work was first published by P. Mosel-
lanus, Basil. 1520 ; afterwards by Grynaeus in his
Orthodoxogr. p. 1247; in the Biblioth. Patrum Mar.
Lugdun. vol. vi. p. 1050, &c. , and by Casp. Bar-
thius, Cygneae, 1655.
2. Epistolae. Besides the letter to Sidonius
Apollinaris, in which Mamertus dedicates to him
his work De Statu Animae, there is also another
letter to Sidonius, preserved among the epistles of
the latter. (Epist. iii. 2. ) Sidonius, in his reply
(iii. 3), extols Mamertus and his work in the most MAMILIA'NUS, a friend of the younger Pliny,
extraordinary manner.
to whom the latter addressed two letters (ix. 16,
3.
