The equestrian Maecenas was an advisor and friend of Augustus. Maecenas as well as Agrippa fought for Augustus during the civil wars; Agrippa the more so since Maecenas was often in Rome where he served as magistrate. Maecenas is mentioned as having fought at Mutina, Philippi and Perusia, according to Propertius, in the 1911 Encyclopedia.
The name and patronage of Maecenas is associated with Vergil, Horace, Propertius, and Varius.
Maecenas eventually fell out of favor with Augustus for disputed reasons, but when Maecenas died in 8 B.C., he left his legacy to Augustus.
Pronunciation: mī-'sē-nɚs • (noun)
The 1911 Encyclopedia article on Maecenas, says Velleius Paterculus (ii. 88) describes Maecenas as "of sleepless vigilance in critical emergencies, far-seeing and knowing how to act, but in his relaxation from business more luxurious and effeminate than a woman."
