Aulus Gabinius

Aulus Gabinius, Roman statesman and general, and supporter of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, was a prominent figure in the later days of the Roman Republic.

In 67 BC, when tribune of the plebs, he brought forward the law ("Lex Gabinia") which gave Pompey the command in the war against the Mediterranean pirates, with extensive powers that gave him absolute control over the sea and the coasts for 50 miles inland. By two other measures of Gabinius, loans of money to foreign ambassadors in Rome were made non-actionable (as a check on the corruption of the Senate) and the Senate was ordered to give audience to foreign envoys on certain fixed days (February 1 - March 1).

In 61 Gabinius, then "praetor", tried to win public favour by providing games on a scale of unusual splendour, and in 58 managed to secure the consulship, although not without suspicion of bribery. During his term of office he aided Publius Clodius in bringing about the exile of Marcus Tullius Cicero. In 57 Gabinius went as proconsul to Syria. On his arrival he reinstated Hyrcanus in the high-priesthood at Jerusalem, suppressed revolts, introduced important changes in the government of Judaea, and rebuilt several towns. [Josephus, The Jewish War 1:155-1:170, "Scythopolis, Samaria, Anthedon, Apollonia, Jamia, Raphia, Marisa, Dora, Gaza Azotus and many other towns were re-established, each attracting an influx of eager colonists."]

During his absence in Egypt, where he had been sent by Pompey, without the consent of the Senate, to restore Ptolemy XII to his kingdom, Syria had been devastated by robbers, and Alexander, son of Aristobulus, had again taken up arms with the object of depriving Hyrcanus II of the high-priesthood. With some difficulty Gabinius restored order, and in 54 BC handed over the province to his successor, Marcus Licinius Crassus. The knights, who as farmers of the taxes had suffered heavy losses during the disturbances in Syria, were greatly embittered against Gabinius, and, when he appeared in the Senate to give an account of his governorship, he was brought to trial on three counts, all involving a capital offence.

On the charge of "majestas" (high treason) incurred by having left his province for Egypt without the consent of the senate and in defiance of the Sibylline books, he was acquitted; it is said that the judges were bribed, and even Cicero, an enemy of Gabinius, was persuaded by Pompey to say as little as he could. On the second charge, that of "repetundae" (extortion during the administration of his province), with special reference to the 10,000 talents paid by Ptolemy XII for his restoration, he was found guilty, in spite of evidence offered on his behalf by Pompey and witnesses from Alexandria and the eloquence of Cicero, who had been induced to plead his cause. Nothing but Cicero's wish to do a favour to Pompey could have induced him to take on the task; it is hinted that the half-heartedness of the defence contributed to Gabinius's condemnation. The third charge, that of "ambitus" (illegalities committed during his canvass for the consulship), was consequently dropped; Gabinius went into exile, and his property was confiscated.

After the outbreak of the civil war, he was recalled by Gaius Julius Caesar in 49 BC, and entered his service, but took no active part against his old patron Pompey. After the Battle of Pharsalus, he was commissioned to transport some recently levied troops to Illyricum. On his way thither by land, he was attacked by the Dalmatians and with difficulty made his way to Salonae (Dalmatia). Here he bravely defended himself against the attacks of the Pompeian commander, Marcus Octavius, but in a few months died of illness (48 or the beginning of 47).

Gabinius in popular culture

Aulus Gabinius appears as a character in John Maddox Roberts' novel "The Princess and the Pirates" (ISBN 0-312-33723-X), set in Cyprus in 50 BC during Gabinius' exile.

References

* Dio Cassius xxxvi. 23-36, xxxviii. 13. 30, xxxix. 55-63
* Plutarch, "Pompey", 25. 48
* Josephus, "Antiq." xiv. 4-6
* Appian, "Illyrica", 12, "Bell. Civ." ii. 24. 59
* Cicero, "ad Atti." vi. 2, "ad Q. Fratrem", ii. 13, "Post reditum in senatu", 4-8, "Pro lege Manilia", 17, 18, I9
* exhaustive article by Bähr in Ersch and Gruber's "Allgemeine Encyclopädie"
* G Stöcchi, "Aulo Gabinio e i suoi processi" (1892)