Quintus Hortensius

For other uses of "Hortensius", see Hortensius (disambiguation).

Quintus Hortensius Hortalus (114–50 BC) was a famous Roman lawyer, a renowned orator and a statesman. Politically he belonged to the Optimates.[1] He was consul in 69 BC alongside Quintus Caecilius Metellus Creticus. His nickname was Dionysia, after a famous actress.[2] After his retirement Hortensius took up fish-breeding as a hobby.[3] Cicero spoke of him as a Piscinarius – 'fish fancier'.[4]

  1. ^ Boak, Arthur E. R. & Sinnigen, William G. History of Rome to A.D. 565. Fifth Edition. The Macmillan Company, 1965. pg 213
  2. ^ Tom Holland, Rubicon, p. 127.
  3. ^ Tom Holland, Rubicon, p. 188; Varro, On Agriculture, 3.17.
  4. ^ Tom Holland, Rubicon, pp. 188–9.