A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

or ELECTUS, originally, it would appear, the freedman of L. Verus, after whose death he enjoyed the protection of M. Aurelius, became subsequently the chamberlain of Ummidius Quadratus, and after his destruction was chosen to fill the same office in the household of Commodus. The circumstances under which Eclectus, in conjunction with Laetus and Marcia, contrived the death of the tyrant and then forced the vacant throne upon Pertinax, along with whom he eventually perished are described elsewhere. [COMMODUS ; LAETUS; MARCIA; PERTINAX.]

(Capitolin. Ver. 9, expressly declares that the Eclectus who was the freedman of Verus was the individual who murdered Commodus, while in Dio Cassius, 72.4, he is first introduced as the chamberlain of Quadratus. See also D. C. 72.19, 22, 73.1; Capitolin. Pertin. 4, 11 ; Herodian, 1.51, &c., 2.1; Zonar. 12.5.)

[W.R]