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Icelus Marcianus

AD 1 – AD 69

A freedman who served the Roman Emperor Galba before his downfall

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About Icelus Marcianus

Lived AD 1 – AD 69 (aged 67–68). Icelus Marcianus was a Roman politician.

Icelus Martianus or Marcianus (died 69 CE) was a freedman of and adviser to the Roman Emperor Galba. Icelus had been imprisoned and released during the revolt against Nero and was present at Nero's suicide, where he granted Nero's request that his body be buried intact. When Icelus brought news of Nero's death to Galba, he showered him with kisses; Suetonius suggests that Icelus was a homosexual lover of Galba. Icelus was given the name Martianus and elevated to the rank of knight by Galba. This was contrary to the Tiberian law which stipulated that no freedman could be elevated to equestrian rank without first having three previous generations of free birth.

Icelus rivaled Titus Vinius and Cornelius Laco for influence over Galba, who executed numerous Roman citizens without trial. Icelus, along with Laco, opposed the adoption of Otho by Galba. After Galba was deposed, Icelus was publicly executed by Otho, who accused Icelus of theft of public funds.

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Important facts

Born
AD 1
Birth century
Died
AD 69
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Servius Sulpicius Icelus Marcianus, Icelus

People in Icelus Marcianus's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Icelus Marcianus's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Icelus Marcianus?

a freedman who served the Roman Emperor Galba before his downfall

When was Icelus Marcianus born?

Icelus Marcianus was born in AD 1.

When did Icelus Marcianus die?

Icelus Marcianus died in AD 69.

What was Icelus Marcianus's occupation?

Icelus Marcianus was a politician.

What nationality was Icelus Marcianus?

Icelus Marcianus was Roman.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Icelus Marcianus

· Wikidata: Q11926389

· DBpedia: Icelus Martianus

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Icelus Marcianus. https://biography.guide/icelus-marcianus/

MLA: "Icelus Marcianus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/icelus-marcianus/.

Chicago: "Icelus Marcianus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/icelus-marcianus/.

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