Clodius, Publius (c. 92–52 BC)

Roman politician. A patrician by birth, he was adopted into a plebeian family so that he could become tribune of the plebs 58 BC. He was engaged in feuds with the orator Cicero and the politician Milo.

In 62 BC, disguised as a woman, Clodius attended the Bona Dea festival (open only to women) being celebrated in the house of Julius Caesar. Clodius was brought to trial but, although Cicero gave evidence against him, he obtained an acquittal by bribery. As tribune he secured the exile of Cicero on the grounds that he had unlawfully punished the adherents of Catiline with death. Milo helped to obtain Cicero's recall. Clodius's rivalry with Milo led to battles between rival gangs and Clodius was murdered on the Appian Way in a clash with Milo's supporters.