v16_0311 - PLAETORIA Denier

PLAETORIA

(69-67 BC)

Of plebeian origin, the gens Plaetoria comes from the city of Sabine. Thanks to certain denarii, we also know that Marcus Plætorius Cestianus was curule aedile in 67 BC, which would seem to indicate a patrician affiliation. The aediles are responsible for ensuring the provisioning of Rome, the public games and the city police. It is possible that our moneyer took charge of the organization of the "Ludi Florales" of 67 BC. On leaving office, the patrician aedile can access the praetorship, which Marcus Plætorius Cestianus does in 66 BC, before seeking the consulship. It does not seem that our currency was entitled to consular pomp. As Cicero recounts (ad. Att. V. 20, 8), he was condemned in 51 BC.