The Wife of Silanus (77–60)

Widows were not expected to remain unmarried. Servilia’s second husband was D. Iunius Silanus, who became consul for 62, with help from her and her family, and died c.60. She bore him daughters, probably in rapid succession: the future wives of Lepidus and Cassius and, it is argued, another who would marry Isauricus. Her full brother Q. Caepio died in 67, her half-siblings Cato and Porcia were rising. In 63 or earlier, Servilia began an initially adulterous relationship with Caesar, which would last until his death. Caesar enjoyed other liaisons with the wives of his friends and colleagues; Servilia is not known to have had other lovers. In 62 a proposed marriage alliance between Pompey and Cato’s family, perhaps the elder Iuniae, came to nothing.