Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Gaetulicus

Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Gaetulicus (d. 39) was a Roman general and politician. He was involved in a plot against the emperor Caligula and was executed after its discovery.

Biography

Gaetulicus was Consul in 26 AD. He later became Legate of Germania Superior, possibly in succession to his brother. He served there from 29-39 AD while his father-in-law governed Germania Inferior. He was well-liked by his troops but his easy-going ways led to a relaxation of discipline, which left the province of Gaul open to invasions by Germanic tribes.

Gaetulicus was an ally of the notorious prefect of the praetorian guard, Sejanus, and his daughter was betrothed to Sejanus’ son. He survived Sejanus’ fall in 31 by reputedly writing to the emperor Tiberius that his error of judgement had been no different from the emperor’s.

Gaetulicus sought to curry favour with Tiberius’ successor Caligula, writing flattering comments about that emperor’s birth, perhaps in the hope of securing a command in the projected invasion of Britain. All the same he became involved in a murky conspiracy against Caligula in 39, possible in league with the emperor’s Lepidus, the husband of Caligula’s late sister Drusilla. Caligula got wind of the plot and had Gaetulicus executed, probably in early October of that year.

Gaetulicus' writing is used as a primary source for Suetonius' "Lives of Twelve Caesars" and Tacitus' "Annals." He is mentioned in Suetonius' Life of Caligula (Gaius) 8 and his account of Caligula's birth is referred to in Tacitus' "Annals" I.41.

Gaetulicus was a poet of some note. He wrote erotic verses that inspired Martial, who cited him as a precedent for the free use of language.