HORTENSIUS, QUINTUS, dictator of Rome 286 B.C. When the people, pressed by their patrician creditors, "seceded" to the Janiculum, he was commissioned to put an end to the strife. He passed a law (Lex Hortensia) whereby the resolutions of the multitude (plebiscita) were made binding on all the citizens, with out the approval of the senate being necessary. He is said to have died while still dictator.