Cilo
or CHILO, P. MA'GIUS, murdered at Peiraeeus, in B. C. 45, M. Claudius Marcellus, who had been consul in 51, and killed himself immediately afterwards. Cilo was a friend and client of Marcellus and a rumour was circulated at the time by Caesar's enemies, that the dictator had instigated him to commit the murder. Brutus wrote to Cicero to defend Caesar from this charge.
The real motive for the crime seems to have been, that Marcellus refused to advance Cilo a sum of money to relieve him from his embarrassments. (
Cic. Att. 13.10,
ad Fam. 4.12.) Valerius Maximus (9.11.4) says, that Cilo had served under Pompey, and that he was indignant at Marcellus preferring another friend to him. Livy (
Liv. Epit. 115) calls him
Cn. Magius.