Titus Manlius Torquatus (consul 165 BC)

Born into a prominent family, he sought to emulate the legendary severity of his ancestors, notably by forcing his son to commit suicide after he had been accused of corruption.

He was also active in diplomatic affairs; he notably served as ambassador to Egypt in 162 BC in a mission to support the claims of Ptolemy VIII Physcon over Cyprus.

[6] He was known for his severity, notably by refusing to ransom the Roman soldiers captured by Hannibal after the Battle of Cannae, and by abruptly rejecting the admission of Latin allies in the Senate.

[11][12] Titus' career is not known before his consulship, but the German historian Friedrich Münzer suggested that he was praetor in 170, a year with a lacuna in the manuscript of Livy.

Despite being a homo novus, Octavius was already famous by the time of his election, as he had led the Roman navy during the Third Macedonian War, for which he was awarded a triumph in 167.

[24] Unfortunately, Titus' and Octavius' policies as consuls are completely unknown because the manuscript of Livy abruptly ends just before the account of their consulship.

The Senate agreed and sent as legates to Cyprus Gnaeus Cornelius Merula and Titus Torquatus, with the mission to support Physcon's claim on the island, while preventing a war between the brothers.

[33] In Rhodes, Titus successfully convinced Physcon to abandon his project of conquering Cyprus, so he could instead go to Alexandria in order to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Philometor.

[34][35] At their return to Rome, Titus and Merula spoke in favour of Physcon in the Senate, which resulted in the expulsion of Philometor's envoys.

[46] After the two consulships of Titus and his brother Aulus, the Torquati suffered from a period of obscurity, and had to wait a century until another member of the family became consul again.

[53][54][55] After he had been accused of corruption by Macedonian envoys, Titus—his natural father—requested from the Senate the authorisation to judge his son privately in his house before the inquiry could take place.

[60] Valerius Maximus notes that the death mask of Imperiosus Torquatus—who had killed his son—was prominently displayed in Titus' house and inspired his severity towards his own son.