A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

6. M.JuniusSiianus, son of No. 5 and of Servilia, served in Gaul as Caesar's legatus in B. C. 53, but does not appear to have been employed in any undertaking of importance. After Caesar's murder in B. C. 44, he accompanied his brother-in-law M. Lepidus over the Alps; and in the following year Lepidus sent him with a detachment of troops into Cisalpine Gaul, as the senate had urgently pressed Lepidus to assist the consuls Hirtius and Pansa, who were advancing against Antony to compel him to raise the siege of Mutina. Lepidus, however, gave Silanus no precise instructions as to his line of conduct; and the latter guessing the real wishes of his general, espoused the side of Antony. After the defeat of Antony Silanus recrossed the Alps and returned to Lepidus, who affected to be displeased with his conduct, and would not at first allow him to come into his presence. Silanus afterwards became obnoxious to the triumvirs, though the reason is not mentioned, and fled to Sex. Pompey in Sicily. At the peace of Misenum, in B. C. 39, he returned to Rome, and eventually won the favour of Octavian so completely that he raised him to the consulship in B. C. 25. (Caes. Gal. 6.1; D. C. 46.38, 51; Cic. Fam. 10.30, 34; Vell. 2.77; D. C. 53.25.) Silanus had two sisters, one married to M. Lepidus, the triumvir, and the other to C. Cassius, one of Caesar's murderers. [JUNIA, Nos. 2 and 3.]