Marcus Claudius Marcellus (consul 196 BC)

Marcellus first appears in Livy when his father, then curule aedile, brought an action before the Senate against his colleague Scantinius Capitolinus who had made improper advances to the young and beautiful boy. The younger Marcellus, despite his evident embarrassment, convinced the Senate of the man's guilt and his father was recompensed with some articles of silver which he dedicated to a temple. From this episode, we learn that Marcellus was aged at least 7, and probably over 13 at the time of the incident (circa 226 BC). This event would later be recalled by the passing of the Lex Scantinia in 149 BCE, named after Scantinius.

Like his coevals, Marcellus fought in the Second Punic War, probably accompanying his father on various military campaigns, including the famous campaign against Syracuse. He was military tribune under his father, when the two consuls were ambushed in 208 BC resulting in his father's death and the other consul's severe injury. Marcellus himself was badly wounded; his father's body was subsequently returned by Hannibal to the son.

In 204 BC Marcellus was the tribune of the plebs appointed to lead a commission (also including Cato) to investigate charges made against Scipio Africanus. The charges were dismissed, and it is unclear what relationship, if any, existed between the two men. (Marcellus's father and Scipio's uncle had been co-consuls in 222 BC).