Quintus Pomponius Secundus

Who is Quintus Pomponius Secundus?

Quintus Pomponius Secundus was a Roman aristocrat of the 1st century AD, and brother of the poet and statesman Publius Pomponius Secundus.

During the reign of Tiberius, the Pomponii Secundi were caught up in the political intrigues surrounding the downfall of Sejanus, a close advisor of the emperor, who was suspected of plotting to make himself the master of Rome in the emperor's absence. His downfall occurred in October of AD 31, when he held the honor of the consulship, giving him effective control of the government. One of his associates, a man named Aelius Gallus, fled to the house of Publius Pomponius, in the hope that his friend could protect him. On the basis of this friendship, Pomponius was one of those accused by Considius Proculus, a former praetor, of plotting revolution. Publius was imprisoned, and his brother, Quintus, gave surety on his behalf.

In AD 33, Considius was indicted for treason, carried off and executed while he had been celebrating his birthday. Quintus Pomponius brought an accusation against Considius' sister, Sancia, who was herself interdicted from fire and water. Pomponius asserted that his accusation was motivated by a desire to obtain the emperor's favor and ensure the safety of his brother, Publius, who nonetheless seems to have languished in prison until the death of Tiberius. Under Caligula Publius was released, and even raised to the consulship in 41; in the reign of Claudius, he was made the emperor's legate in Germania, celebrating a triumph over the Chatti in AD 50.