Marcus Atilius Regulus

Who is Marcus Atilius Regulus?

Marcus Atilius Regulus, consul in 294 BC, was the second man from the gens Atilia to become consul of Rome.

He succeeded an illustrious plebeian consul Publius Decius Mus who had "devoted himself to the gods," i.e., deliberately thrown himself into the thick of battle after due rituals to ensure Roman victory against the Samnites.

During his consulship Atilius Regulus fought in Samnium and Apulia and won the battle at Interamna, but a triumph was refused. In fact, Atilius Regulus obtained his triumph according to the Fasti triumphales.

Regulus is best known as father of the ill-fated consul Marcus Atilius Regulus and probably father of another consul Gaius Atilius M.f. Regulus who was consul in 257 BC and 250 BC. At least two of his grandsons were also consuls. Aulus Atilius A.f. Calatinus, a relative of Rullianus, was a patrilineal relative.