Manlius Torquātus

Manlius Torquātus (Titus Manlius Imperiōsus Torquātus), Roman hero who reputedly, in resisting an invasion of Gauls in 361 BC, killed in single combat an enormous Gaul and earned his cognomen (see NAMES) by taking from him an ornamental neck-chain, torquēs. He also exemplified Roman pietas (‘dutifulness’) in saving his father from prosecution. In the Latin War of 340 BC the consuls, of whom Torquatus was one, forbade single combats with the enemy. When the son of Torquatus nevertheless engaged and killed a Latin champion his father had him executed for disobedience. In later times the expression Manliana imperia, ‘Manlian orders’, became proverbial for commands of extreme severity.