The subject of this paper is Titus Labienus. It exa
mines his career from a
homo novus
to a
homo militaris
using a microhistorical method. This paper shows t
hat it was fully possible to
make a career through the military in the latter da
ys of the Roman republic.
Labienus first appeared in roman politics as tribun
e of the people in 63 BC. He prosecuted
the aging senator C. Rabirius for high treason (
perduellionis
). The aim of this trial was not to
get Rabirius punished, but to undermine the
senatus consultum ultimum
. Cicero’s defence
speech left Labienus looking like an utter fool. La
bienus was also the instigator of two laws,
one giving the right to elect the
pontifex maximus
back to the people and one that gave
Pompey the right to wear a triumphal garment at hor
se races. Labienus was praetor either in
60 or 59 BC, but this is unattested in the sources.