Marcus Valerius Lactuca Maximus


Marcus Valerius Lactuca Maximus was a suffect consul of the Roman Republic in 437 BC.
Valerius belonged to the powerful Valeria gens. He was the son of Marcus Valerius Maximus Lactuca, consul in 456 BC, and the grandson of Manius Valerius Maximus, the dictator of 494 BC. Filiations indicate that he is the father of Marcus Valerius Lactucinus Maximus, consular tribune in 398 and 395 BC. and thus likely the grandfather or great-grandfather of Marcus Valerius Maximus Corvus.

Career

Valerius was elected consul suffectus in 437 BC. Considering that both ordinary consuls of that year, Marcus Geganius Macerinus and Lucius Sergius Fidenas appear in our records at later dates, it would seem that Valerius was not elected because of one of the consuls dying, but rather that one of the consuls abdicated. Sergius won several victories during his consulship and gained his cognomen Fidenas, thus it has been suggested that Geganius abdicated. The year would see further changes as a dictator was appointed, Mamercus Aemilius Mamercinus, who fought and defeated the Veii, Falerii and Fidenae. Aemilius is traditionally ascribed a triumph for his victories, but some scholars have suggested that the triumph should be ascribed to Valerius, as the only remaining part of the triumphal inscription reads and not .