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Gaius Pomptinus

Gaius Pomptinus (born 103 BC) was a Roman politician and military officer.[1] He was a legate under Marcus Licinus Crassus during the Third Servile War.[2] During his term as praetor in 63 BC, he played a role in suppressing the Catilinarian conspiracy: he intercepted the communications between Catiline's urban conspirators and the Allobroges on the Mulvian bridge, giving the incriminating letters recovered to Cicero.[3] After his praetorship he served as governor in Transalpine Gaul, possibly pro praetore,[4] fighting the Allobroges.[5] He may have remained in Gaul until 59 since his intended successor, the Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer who was consul in 60, died before taking up the post. If he stayed there until the end of 59 he would have been Caesar's direct predecessor.[6]

While a plebeian tribune of 59 BC, Publius Vatinius, attempted to disrupt recognition of his successes that year,[7] he retained his imperium and eventually secured in 54 – with the support of then-praetor and former subordinate Servius Sulpicius Galba[8] as well as then-consul Appius Claudius Pulcher – a triumph for his victories in Gaul.[9] He joined Cicero's staff in Cilicia from 51 – 50, playing an important role in the military side of operations there.[10]

  1. ^ Fundling 2006, noting his date of birth and characterisation as homo militaris (military man) at Sall. Cat., 45.2.
  2. ^ Fundling 2006; Broughton 1952, p. 125, noting however that the legate under Crassus' name was spelt "Pomptinius".
  3. ^ Fundling 2006; Broughton 1952, p. 167.
  4. ^ Fundling 2006 gives pro praetore; Broughton 1952, p. 176 reports the title is not preserved but on p. 605 suggests pro consule.
  5. ^ Broughton 1952, p. 176.
  6. ^ Broughton 1952, p. 185.
  7. ^ Broughton 1952, p. 191, citing Schol. Bob., 149–50.
  8. ^ Broughton 1952, p. 222, citing Dio, 39.65.2.
  9. ^ Broughton 1952, p. 225, citing among others, Cic. Att., 4.18.4; Dio, 39.65.
  10. ^ Fundling 2006; Broughton 1952, p. 254.

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