Marek Celiusz Rufus. „Genialny nicpoń” wśród «barbatuli iuvenes»
Marcus Caelius Rufus. "The ingenious scawalag" among the barbatuli iuvenes

Summary/Abstract: Marcus Caelius Rufus was born in 82 BC, probably in Interamnia. He was descended from equestrian family. Since his early youth he lived in Rome. His educators were Crassus and Cicero. Young man was very talented and promising orator. The characteristic element of his speeches was asperitas (malice). On the other hand he was very ambitious, arrogant and self-confident fast liver. This connection of skills and negative traits of character caused that roman writer Velleius Paterculus called Caelius "ingeniose nequam" (ingenious scawalag). Young Marcus was Cicero's pupil, but this fact did not inhibit him from showing sympathy to the Catilinarians. However, Caelius was not an active member of the conspiracy. He belonged to the roman guilded youth and had many friends in this group. Cicero called these young people barbatuli iuvenes. Informal leader of barbatuli iuvenes was Curio the Younger. Caelius was his friend and it is possible, that Caelius was one of these young people, who demonstrated kindness to Clodius during his famous trial in 61 BC. Later he probably was one of Clodius' allies during his tribunate in 58 BC. As a homo novus Caelius did not have famous antestors, so he had to show his own skills in public. In 59 B.C. he accused C. Antonius (probably de maiestate). Antonius's conviction in this trial was first Caelius's success in his political career. Later he accused L. Calpurnius Bestia, but unsuccessfully. Bestia's son, L. Sempronius Atratinus, accused Caelius de vi publica (public violence) specifically for murdering philosopher Dio. Atratinus was supported by Herennius Balbus and P. Clodius. During the trial young defendant demonstrated disrespect for his opponents by using malicious jokes and indecent gestures. He was successfully defended by Crassus and Cicero. Marcus Tullius tried to present his student as a skillful, brilliant adolescent, but he could not deny Celius's connections with Catilinarians and his luxurious life. In 52 B.C. Caelius was tribune of the plebs and supported his friend Milo, accused for killing Clodius. Milo, however, was exiled. In 50 B.C. Caelius was curule edile. Frontinus, writer from 2nd century lauded his activities in this office, which were useful for citizenry of Rome. Since 51 B.C. when Cicero departed as a proconsul to Cilicia, until his death in 48 B.C. Caelius was corresponding with his teacher. His letters are very informative and show his political intelligence. Young Marcus could make good provisions for political facts. Political rules were not important for Celius. In politics young Marcus searched for his own career and benefits. During the civil war he supported Caesar, whose cause was in his opinion worse, but stronger. His decision was also caused by friendship with Curio and antagonism with Appius Claudius. In 48 B.C. his new protector rewarded Caelius with office of praetor peregrinus. Young equestrian, however, feel underestimated. When his program of debt relief was opposed, Caelius decided to organise a new uprising against Caesar together with his friend Milo, who came back from exile. Rebelion was crushed quickly and Caelius was killed near Thurii. There is no doubt, that Caelius was very talented, intelligent young man, who could be also faithful friend and civil servant. On the other hand he was not only fast liver, but also arrogant, priggish careerist and disrespecting rules political trouble-maker. In the light of this facts it seems that Paterculus's words "ingeniose nequam" are brief, but very pertinent description of this young equestrian.

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