A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

4. the decemvir, is commonly considered to have been the son of No. 2 (as by Livy, 3.35); but, from the Capitoline Fasti, where the record of his consulship appears in the following form : Ap. Claudius Ap. f. M. n. Crassin. Regill. Salinus II., he would appear to have been the same person. (See Niebuhr, vol. ii. note 754.) He was elected consul in B. C. 451, and on the appointment of the decemvirs in that year, he became one of them. His influence in the college became paramount, and he so far won the confidence of the people, that he was reappointed the following year. Now, however, his real character betrayed itself in the most violent and tyrannous conduct towards the plebeians, till his attempt against Virginia led to the overthrow of the decemvirate. Appius was impeached by Virginius, but did not live to abide his trial. According to Livy, he killed himself. Dionysius (11.46) says, it was the general opinion that he was put to death in prison by order of the tribunes. (Liv. 3.33, 35-58; Dionys. A. R. 10.54-11.46.) For an account of the decemviral legislation, see Dict. of Ant. s. v. Twelve Tables.