Atratinus

a family-name of the Sempronia gens. The Atratini were patricians, and were distinguished in the early history of the republic ; but after the year B. C. 380, no member of the family is mentioned till B. C. 34.

1. Sempronius Atratinus, A., consul B. C. 497. (Liv. 2.21; Dionys. A. R. 6.1.) He had the charge of the city when the battle of the lake Regillus was fought (Dionys. A. R. 6.2), which is variously placed in 498 and 496. [See p. 90b.] He was consul again in 491, when he exerted himself with his colleague in obtaining a supply of corn for the people. (Liv. 2.34; Dionys. A. R. 7.20.) In the war with the Hernicans and Volscians in 487, Atratinus was again entrusted with the care of the city. (Dionys. A. R. 8.64.) He was interrex in 482. (Dionys. A. R. 8.90.)

2. A Sempronius Atratinus, A. F., son of No. 1, consular tribune B. C. 444, the year in which this office was first instituted. In consequence of a defect in the auspices, he and his colleagues resigned, and consuls were appointed in their stead. (Liv. 4.7; Dionys, 11.61; Diod. 12.32.)

3. L. Sempronius Atratinus, A. F., son of No. 1, consul B. C. 444. He was censor in the following year with L. Papirius Mugillanus, and they were the first who held this office. (Dionys. A. R. 11.62, 63; Liv. 4.7, 8; Cic. Fam. 9.21.)

4. Sempronius Atratinus, A., L. F. A. N., son of No. 3, was consular tribune three times, in B. C. 425, 420, and 416. (Liv. 4.35, 44, 47 ; Diod. 12.81, 13.9.)

5. C. Sempronius Atratinus, A. F. A. N., son of No. 2, whence he is called by Livy (4.44) the patronus of No. 4, was consul B. C. 423, and had the conduct of the war against the Volscians. Through his negligence and carelessness the Roman army was nearly defeated, and was saved only through the exertions of Sex. Tempanius, one of the officers of the cavalry. The battle was undecided, when night put an end to it; and both armies abandoned their camps, considering it lost. The conduct of Atratinus excited great indignation at Rome, and he was accordingly accused by the tribune L. Hortensius, but the charge was dropt in consequence of the entreaties of Tempanius and three others of his colleagues, who had served under Atratinus, and had been elected tribunes. It was revived, however, in 420, and Atratinus was condemned to pay a heavy fine. (Liv. 4.37_42, 44; V. Max. 6.5.2.)

6. A. Sempronius Atratinus, master of the horse to the dictator, T. Quinctius Cincinnatus, B. C. 380. (Liv. 6.28.)

7. L. Sempronius Atratinus, the accuser of M. Caelius, whom Cicero defended. (Comp. Suet. de Clar. Rhet. 2.) In his speech which has come down to us, Cicero speaks highly of Atratinus. (Pro Cael. 1, 3, 7.) This Atratinus is apparently the same as the consul of B. C. 34, elected in the place of M. Antony, who resigned in his favour. (D. C. 49.39.)