Helvidius Priscus

Roman senator [died c. 70–79 CE]
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Quick Facts
Died:
c. 70–79 ce

Helvidius Priscus (died c. 70–79 ce) was a Roman Stoic who forcefully upheld the principle that the emperor should act only with the consent of the Senate.

Though the son of a centurion, he rose to the Senate in the reign of Nero and became praetor in 70 ce. Later his uncompromising freedom of speech brought him into conflict with the emperor Vespasian, perhaps because he opposed dynastic succession, and he was put to death.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.