Trial of Trebonius
Encyclopedia
The Trial of Trebonius refers to the military trial of the Roman
soldier Trebonius for the killing of Gaius Lusius, his superior officer and nephew of the Roman General and Consul
Gaius Marius
. The trial serves to show Marius’ impartiality when dealing out justice that made him popular among his soldiers as well as the common Roman citizen. Valerius Maximus
calls Trebonius Gaius Plotius. Because Plutarch
says that this even contributed to Marius' third election as consul, this most likely takes place in 104 BC. This event does not refer to Gaius Trebonius, one of the allies and later assassins of Julius Caesar
.
, and had been given the position of a commissioned officer during the Cimbrian War
between Rome and the Proto-Germanic tribe of the Cimbri
. Plutarch describes Lusius as a man who had homosexual
feelings for a young soldier under his command, but was not generally a bad man. Cicero
describes the Trial of Trebonius (although not by name) and describes Trebonius as “the virtuous youth.” Valerius Maximus and Cicero
both say that Lusius was a military tribune. Marian reforms
to the military had lessened the power and number of military tribune
s. Despite this, he attempted to use his position to seduce Trebonius, who had so far not cooperated with his advances. Lusius summoned Trebonius to his tent and attempted to rape
the young soldier. Trebonius had no choice but to go to the tent, because he could not disobey the summons of his commander. Inside the tent, Trebonius killed Lusius with his sword.
describes there being many accusers against Trebonius, but no one to defend him. Cicero and Maximus’ claims that Lusius was a tribune could account for this, in that as a tribune he would have probably held political power during life, and others may have been afraid of a similar fate if Trebonius was not suitably punished. Trebonius took up his own cause and defended himself before the trial. He provided examples of Lusius’ unceremonious behavior, and offered up witnesses to testify about Lusius’ acts. Lusius had often made generous offers towards Trebonius and had often made advances on him, but Trebonius had never given into his seduction
s.
Marius was impressed with both the courage of Trebonius’ defense of himself at trial, as well as his unwavering denial of Lusius’ attempts to seduce and bribe him. He ordered the laurel
which symbolized the prize for valor to be placed on the head of Trebonius. Marius declared Trebonius’ deeds as noble and that he was an example to show other Romans how to behave. Both Cicero and Valerius Maximus agree that it was Gaius Lusius’ advances towards Trebonius/Plotius that had earned him his death. The prize for valor was a physical symbol showing that Trebonius should be respected and heralded for his incorruptibility and his determination. That Marius "took it and with his own hands placed it on Trebonius' head" shows his desire to be associated with such qualities.
of Rome.
For some, the results of the trial showed that Marius was a man who would reward noble deeds and was against immorality. The trial showed that Marius would not show favoritism
towards even members of his own family if he believed them to be in the wrong. The trial is shown by several Roman authors to be an example of justice and that Trebonius should be held up as a moral example, influencing other Romans to take up his example and perform noble deeds. Although Trebonius was not of nobility
, as he was just a common soldier in an uncommon situation, it illuminates the idea that all Roman citizens were expected to handle themselves in a manner of nobleness.
The trial is cited by Cicero in his defense of Milo
for the killing of Clodius
. Cicero uses it as an example in Roman history of a situation when it is acceptable to use violence, arguing that it is a time “when violence is offered, and can only be repelled by violence”.
The decision also says something about the thoughts on men soliciting others for sexual favors. Valerius Maximus gives the main cause of Gaius Lusius’ death not because he attempted to use his power over the common soldier for his own personal gain, but because “the reason was that Lusius had dared to approach Plotius (Trebonius) for sexual favors.”
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
soldier Trebonius for the killing of Gaius Lusius, his superior officer and nephew of the Roman General and Consul
Roman consul
A consul served in the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic.Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague and the officials would alternate each month...
Gaius Marius
Gaius Marius
Gaius Marius was a Roman general and statesman. He was elected consul an unprecedented seven times during his career. He was also noted for his dramatic reforms of Roman armies, authorizing recruitment of landless citizens, eliminating the manipular military formations, and reorganizing the...
. The trial serves to show Marius’ impartiality when dealing out justice that made him popular among his soldiers as well as the common Roman citizen. Valerius Maximus
Valerius Maximus
Valerius Maximus was a Latin writer and author of a collection of historical anecdotes. He worked during the reign of Tiberius .-Biography:...
calls Trebonius Gaius Plotius. Because Plutarch
Plutarch
Plutarch then named, on his becoming a Roman citizen, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus , c. 46 – 120 AD, was a Greek historian, biographer, essayist, and Middle Platonist known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia...
says that this even contributed to Marius' third election as consul, this most likely takes place in 104 BC. This event does not refer to Gaius Trebonius, one of the allies and later assassins of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
.
Setting
Gaius Lusius was the son of the sister of Gaius MariusGaius Marius
Gaius Marius was a Roman general and statesman. He was elected consul an unprecedented seven times during his career. He was also noted for his dramatic reforms of Roman armies, authorizing recruitment of landless citizens, eliminating the manipular military formations, and reorganizing the...
, and had been given the position of a commissioned officer during the Cimbrian War
Cimbrian War
The Cimbrian War was fought between the Roman Republic and the Proto-Germanic tribes of the Cimbri and the Teutons , who migrated from northern Europe into Roman controlled territory, and clashed with Rome and her allies...
between Rome and the Proto-Germanic tribe of the Cimbri
Cimbri
The Cimbri were a tribe from Northern Europe, who, together with the Teutones and the Ambrones threatened the Roman Republic in the late 2nd century BC. The Cimbri were probably Germanic, though some believe them to be of Celtic origin...
. Plutarch describes Lusius as a man who had homosexual
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
feelings for a young soldier under his command, but was not generally a bad man. Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
describes the Trial of Trebonius (although not by name) and describes Trebonius as “the virtuous youth.” Valerius Maximus and Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
both say that Lusius was a military tribune. Marian reforms
Marian reforms
The Marian reforms of 107 BC were a group of military reforms initiated by Gaius Marius, a statesman and general of the Roman republic.- Roman army before the Marian reforms :...
to the military had lessened the power and number of military tribune
Military tribune
A military tribune was an officer of the Roman army who ranked below the legate and above the centurion...
s. Despite this, he attempted to use his position to seduce Trebonius, who had so far not cooperated with his advances. Lusius summoned Trebonius to his tent and attempted to rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
the young soldier. Trebonius had no choice but to go to the tent, because he could not disobey the summons of his commander. Inside the tent, Trebonius killed Lusius with his sword.
Trial
Gaius Lusius’ uncle, Gaius Marius, returned and had Trebonius brought to trial. PlutarchPlutarch
Plutarch then named, on his becoming a Roman citizen, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus , c. 46 – 120 AD, was a Greek historian, biographer, essayist, and Middle Platonist known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia...
describes there being many accusers against Trebonius, but no one to defend him. Cicero and Maximus’ claims that Lusius was a tribune could account for this, in that as a tribune he would have probably held political power during life, and others may have been afraid of a similar fate if Trebonius was not suitably punished. Trebonius took up his own cause and defended himself before the trial. He provided examples of Lusius’ unceremonious behavior, and offered up witnesses to testify about Lusius’ acts. Lusius had often made generous offers towards Trebonius and had often made advances on him, but Trebonius had never given into his seduction
Seduction
In social science, seduction is the process of deliberately enticing a person to engage. The word seduction stems from Latin and means literally "to lead astray". As a result, the term may have a positive or negative connotation...
s.
Marius was impressed with both the courage of Trebonius’ defense of himself at trial, as well as his unwavering denial of Lusius’ attempts to seduce and bribe him. He ordered the laurel
Laurel wreath
A laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel , an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head...
which symbolized the prize for valor to be placed on the head of Trebonius. Marius declared Trebonius’ deeds as noble and that he was an example to show other Romans how to behave. Both Cicero and Valerius Maximus agree that it was Gaius Lusius’ advances towards Trebonius/Plotius that had earned him his death. The prize for valor was a physical symbol showing that Trebonius should be respected and heralded for his incorruptibility and his determination. That Marius "took it and with his own hands placed it on Trebonius' head" shows his desire to be associated with such qualities.
Implications
The results of the trial spread quickly, and helped Marius gain popularity and helped him achieve his third consulshipRoman consul
A consul served in the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic.Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague and the officials would alternate each month...
of Rome.
For some, the results of the trial showed that Marius was a man who would reward noble deeds and was against immorality. The trial showed that Marius would not show favoritism
Nepotism
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis , from which modern Romanian nepot and Italian nipote, "nephew" or "grandchild" are also descended....
towards even members of his own family if he believed them to be in the wrong. The trial is shown by several Roman authors to be an example of justice and that Trebonius should be held up as a moral example, influencing other Romans to take up his example and perform noble deeds. Although Trebonius was not of nobility
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
, as he was just a common soldier in an uncommon situation, it illuminates the idea that all Roman citizens were expected to handle themselves in a manner of nobleness.
The trial is cited by Cicero in his defense of Milo
Titus Annius Milo
Titus Annius Milo Papianus was a Roman political agitator, the son of Gaius Papius Celsus, but adopted by his maternal grandfather, Titus Annius Luscus...
for the killing of Clodius
Clodius
Clodius is an alternate form of the Roman nomen Claudius, a patrician gens that was traditionally regarded as Sabine in origin. The alternation of o and au is characteristic of the Sabine dialect...
. Cicero uses it as an example in Roman history of a situation when it is acceptable to use violence, arguing that it is a time “when violence is offered, and can only be repelled by violence”.
The decision also says something about the thoughts on men soliciting others for sexual favors. Valerius Maximus gives the main cause of Gaius Lusius’ death not because he attempted to use his power over the common soldier for his own personal gain, but because “the reason was that Lusius had dared to approach Plotius (Trebonius) for sexual favors.”