Taurus, Stati'lius
1.
Statilius Taurus, one of the most distinguished of Octavian's generals. His name appears in the Fasti as consul suffectus in B. C. 37, but he is first mentioned by ancient writers in the following year in the war against Sex. Pompeius, in Sicily.
He commanded Antony's fleet, which sailed from Tarentum, and he rendered important services in the war.
After the flight of Pompeius from Sicily, Taurus sailed over to Africa, which he secured for Octavian without difficulty. In B. C. 34 he received the honour of a triumph on account of his success in Africa (Fasti Capit.), and in the course of the same year he accompanied Octavian to Dalmatia, and was left in the country in command of the army when Octavian returned to Rome.
At the battle of Actium, in B. C. 31, Taurus commanded the land-force of Octavian, which was drawn up on the shore. In B. C. 29 he defeated the Cantabri, Vaccaei, and Astures.
He was raised to the consulship in B. C. 26; and in B. C. 16, when the emperor went to Gaul, the government of the city and of Italy was left to Taurns, with the title of praefectus urbi. (Appian,
App. BC 5.97-
99,103, 105, 109, 118;
D. C. 49.14,
38; Appian,
Ill. 27 ; D. C. 1. 13; Plut.
Ant. 65 ; D. C. 51.20,
53.23,
54.19);
Tac. Ann. 6.11;
Vell. 2.127.)
In the fourth consulship of Augustus, B. C. 30, Taurus built an amphitheatre of stone at his own expence, and at its opening exhibited a show of gladiators ; and the people in return allowed him to appoint one of the praetors every year.
This amphitheatre was burnt down in the great fire at Rome, in the reign of Nero. (
D. C. 51.23,
62.18; Suet.
Octav. 29 ; Tac. Ann. 3.72.)
There was a Statilius Taurus, who was triumvir of the mint under Augustus, as we learn from coins, but whether he was the same person as the pre-ceding cannot be determined.
The annexed coin has on the obverse the legend, TAVRVS REGVLVS PVLCHER, and on the revere, IIIVIR A A A F F Eckhel, vol. v. p. 316.)
