Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology/Gallicanus 1.
GALLICA′NUS, a Roman consular, who, along with Maecenas, rashly slew two soldiers who through curiosity had entered the senate-house, and thus gave rise to that bloody strife which raged for many days between the populace and the praetorians during the brief reign of Balbinus and Pupienus, A. D. 238. In the course of these disorders a large portion of the city was destroyed by fire. (Herodian. vii. 27; Capitolin. Maximin. duo, 20, Gordiani tres, 22.) [W. R.]