quietus n : euphemisms for death (based on an analogy between lying in a bed and in a tomb); "she was laid to rest beside her husband"; "they had to put their family pet to sleep" [syn: rest, eternal rest, sleep, eternal sleep]

English

Etymology

From Latin quietus

Pronunciation

Noun

quietus singular only

1. A stillness or pause; something that quiets or represses; removal from activity; especially: death.

   "The constant rain and the cold have combined to put a quietus on outdoor activities." (Glenn Tucker, quoted in the Bangor Daily News [Maine], Oct. 10, 2005)

2. Final settlement (as of a debt.)

Related terms

• quiescence
• quiet
• quietude

Latin

Noun

quietus

1. Stillness; the act or fact of dying.

Related terms

• quiescere

Titus Fulvius Iunius Quietus (d. 261) was a Roman usurper against Roman Emperor Gallienus.

Quietus was the son of Fulvius Macrianus and a noblewoman, possibly named Iunia. According to Historia Augusta, he was a military tribune under Valerian, but this information is challenged by historians.

He gained the imperial office with his brother Macrianus Minor, after the death of Emperor Valerian in the Sassanid campaign of 260. With the army deep in the enemy territory, the soldiers elected the two emperors. The support of his father, controller of the imperial treasure, and the influence of Balista, Praetorian prefect of the late Emperor Valerian, proved instrumental in his promotion.

Quietus and Macrianus, elected consuls, had to face the lawful Emperor Gallienus, at the time in the West. Quietus and Ballista stayed in the eastern provinces, while his brother and father marched their army to Europe to seize control of the Roman Empire. After the defeat of his brother and father in Thrace in 261, Quietus lost the control of the provinces in favour of Odaenathus of Palmyra. Forced to flee to the city of Emesa, he was killed by its inhabitants, possibily instigated by Ballista (Zonaras xii.24).

References

• Körner, Christian, "Usurpers in the east: The Macriani and Ballista", s.v. "Usurpers under Gallienus", De Imperatoribus Romanis

External links

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