Aulus Cabinius Roman consul, military and political figure, consul 58 BC. Country: Italy

1. Aulus Gabinius: Roman Consul and Military Leader
2. Early Life and Political Career
3. Consulship and Exasperation
4. Proconsulship in Syria and Exile
5. Return and Death

Aulus Gabinius: Roman Consul and Military Leader

Aulus Gabinius was a Roman consul, military leader, and political figure who held the position of consul in 58 BCE.

Early Life and Political Career

In 67 BCE, Gabinius served as a tribune where he proposed a bill that would authorize his patron, Gnaeus Pompey, to wage war against pirates. He then fought under Pompey's command in 66 BCE during the Mithridatic Wars, but his reputation was tarnished by accusations of bribery.

Consulship and Exasperation

In 61 BCE, Gabinius was elected praetor. He became consul alongside Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus in 58 BCE. He played a prominent role in the exile of Cicero, an action that benefited the First Triumvirate, a political alliance between Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Marcus Licinius Crassus.

Proconsulship in Syria and Exile

In 57 BCE, Gabinius was appointed proconsul of Syria. During his tenure, he suppressed two rebellions in Judea, campaigned against Parthia, and restored Ptolemy XII to the throne of Egypt. He ruthlessly punished rebels, including Ptolemy's daughter Berenice IV, and seized Alexandria.

In 54 BCE, Gabinius was charged with bribery and extortion by Tiberius Claudius Nero Senior. He was found guilty and sent into exile, despite being defended by Cicero, whom he had helped exile years earlier.

Return and Death

In 49 BCE, Julius Caesar allowed Gabinius to return from exile. He participated in Caesar's campaign against Illyria in 48 BCE but suffered defeat at Salon by the Dalmatians. He died in 47 BCE at the same location.