A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

9. L.AemiliusMamxercinusPrivernas, L. F. L. N., the son of No. 8, a distinguished general in the Samnite wars, was consul for the first time in B. C. 341 with C. Plautins Venno Hypsaeus, in which year he merely laid waste the Samnite territory. In B. C. 335 he was elected dictator, for the purpose of holding the comitia as the consuls were absent from Rome. In B. C. 329 he was consul a second time with C. Plautius Decianus. There was great alarm at Rome at this time, in consequence of a report that the Gauls were marching southward. Accordingly, while Decianus proceeded against Privernum, which continued to prolong its resistance, Mamercinus began to levy a large army, in order to oppose the Gauls; but as the report of the Gaulish inroad proved to be unfounded, both consuls united their forces against Privernum. The town was taken, and Mamercinus as well as his colleague obtained a triumph in consequence. The capture of this town must have been regarded as a very glorious achievement, since Mamercinus received the surname of Privernas, and the Plautii preserved the recollection of it upon their coins. In B. C. 316 Mamercinus was again elected dictator, and fought against the Samnites with success. (Liv. 8.1, 16, 20, 9.21.)