2. L.MarciusCensorinus, C. F. C. N., consul with M'. Manilius in B. C. 149, the first year of the third Punic war. Both consuls were ordered to proceed to Carthage: the command of the army was entrusted to Manilius, and that of the fleet to Censorinus. In the negotiations between the consuls and Carthaginians which preceded actual hostilities, and of which Appian has given us a detailed account, Censorinus acted as spokesman because he was the better orator. After the Carthaginians had refused compliance with the commands of the Romans, who required them to abandon Carthage and build another town not less than ten miles from the sea, the consuls formally laid siege to the city; but Censorinus was compelled shortly afterwards to return to Rome in order to hold the comitia, leaving the conduct of the siege in the hands of his colleague. (Appian, App. Pun. 75_90, 97_99; Liv. Epit. 49; Flor. 2.15; Eutrop. 4.10; Oros. 4.22; Vell. 1.13; Zonar. ix. p. 463; Cic. Brut. 15, 27, ad Att. 12.5.) Censorinus was censor in B. C. 147, with L. Cornelius Lentulus Lupus. (V. Max. 6.9.10.)
It was to this Censorinus that the philosopher Cleitomachus dedicated one of his works. (Cic. Ac. 2.32.)