A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. M.Laetorius, a centurion primi pili, mentioned as the first plebeian magistrate, B. C. 495, chosen even before the secession to the Sacred Hill and the election of the first tribunes of the people; for there cannot be any doubt that this Laetorius was a plebeian, although it is not exactly stated by Livy (2.27). He was chosen to establish a guild of merchants (collegium mercatorum), to dedicate a temple of Mercury, and to superintend the corn market. From these functions it is probable that he was aedile, and the conclusion is obvious that the establishment of the plebeian aedileship preceded that of the tribuneship. (Comp. V. Max. 9.3.6.)