Digital Prosopography of the Roman Republic

CORN2515 P. Cornelius (141) P. f. Dolabella = P. Cornelius Lentulus

Status

  • Patrician
  • Nobilis Expand

    Cic. Att. 7.8.3, Cic. Phil. 1.12.29

Life Dates

  • 69, birth (Rüpke 2005)
  • 43, death - violent (Broughton MRR II) Expand

    Suicide, pre-empting capture by Cassius.

Relationships

son of
? P. Cornelius (140) Dolabella (pr. 69) (Zmeskal 2009)
adopted son of
Livia (B) (adoptive mother of P. Cornelius (141) P. f. Dolabella = P. Cornelius Lentulus (cos. suff. 44)) (Zmeskal 2009) Expand

Cic. Att. VII 8.3

-. Cornelius (D) Lentulus (adoptive father of P. Cornelius (141) P. f. Dolabella = P. Cornelius Lentulus (cos. suff. 44)) (Zmeskal 2009) Expand

Dio XLII 29.1, Macr. sat. II 3.3

married to
1 Fabia (173) (married to P. Cornelius (141) P. f. Dolabella = P. Cornelius Lentulus (cos. suff. 44)) (Zmeskal 2009) Expand

Quintil. inst. VI 3.73

2 Tullia (60) (daughter of M. Tullius (29) M. f. M. n. Cor. Cicero (cos. 63)) (Zmeskal 2009) Expand

Macr. sat. II 3.3

divorced from
1 Fabia (173) (married to P. Cornelius (141) P. f. Dolabella = P. Cornelius Lentulus (cos. suff. 44)) (Zmeskal 2009) Expand

Cic. fam. VIII 6.1

2 Tullia (60) (daughter of M. Tullius (29) M. f. M. n. Cor. Cicero (cos. 63)) (Zmeskal 2009) Expand

Asc. Pison. 5C, Plut. Cic. 41.5(4)

father of
1 ? P.? Cornelius (130) Dolabella (son of? P. Cornelius (141) P. f. Dolabella = P. Cornelius Lentulus (cos. suff. 44)) (Zmeskal 2009)
2 -. Cornelius (172a) Lentulus (son of P. Cornelius (141) P. f. Dolabella = P. Cornelius Lentulus (cos. suff. 44)) (Zmeskal 2009) Expand

Cic. Att. XII 28.3, Cic. Att. XII 30.1, Cic. fam. VI 18.5

2 -. Cornelius (B) Dolabella (son of P. Cornelius (141) P. f. Dolabella = P. Cornelius Lentulus (cos. suff. 44)) (Zmeskal 2009) Expand

Cic. Att. X 18.1

Career

  • Quindecemvir Sacris Faciundis 51 to 43 (Rüpke 2005) Expand
    • Elected in 51, defeating L. Cornelius Lentulus Crus (Cael. in Cic. Fam. 8.4.1). (Broughton MRR II)
  • Legatus (Lieutenant)? 49 Illyricum (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • Perhaps a Legate (so termed in Suet. Iul. 36, but with Curio). He held command of a fleet in the Adriatic, but was driven out when C. Antonius was captured by the Pompeians (App. BC 2.41, and 47, text uncertain; Flor. 2.13.31; Dio 41.40.1-2; Oros. 6.15.8; cf. Schol. Bern. on Lucan 4, p. 134-135 Usener). (Broughton MRR II)
  • Legatus (Lieutenant)? 48 Macedonia, Italia (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • Served under Caesar at Dyrrachium and at Pharsalus, but afterwards returned to Italy, was transferred to the Plebs, and elected to the tribunate (Dolabella in Cic. Fam. 9.9; Cic. Fam. 14.9; Att. 11.7.2; no title preserved). (Broughton MRR II)
  • Tribunus Plebis 47 (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • Dolabella's popular bills, proposing to abolish debts (Liv. Per. 113; Plut. Ant. 9.1-2; Dio 42.29.1, and 32.2; cf. Cic. Att. 11.23.3; 14.21.4; Phil. 6.11; 10.22; 11.14; 13.26), and remit house-rents (Dio 42.32.2) led to dissension with his colleagues Pollio and Trebellius, and finally to the intervention of Antony as Master of Horse (Liv. Per. 113; Plut. Ant. 8-9, naming Pollio; Dio 42.29-33; 46.16.2; cf. Cic. Att. 11.10.2, and 12.4, and 16.1, and 23.3; Phil. 2.99; 6.11; 10.22; 11.14; 13.2 and 26; Auct. Bell. Alex. 65.1; Plut. Caes. 51.1). J. Andre (REL 25 [1947] 137-139) doubts that Pollio held the tribunate. (Broughton MRR II)
    • The evidence for the transfer of this patrician to the plebs by adoption in 48 is given in Dio 42.29.1, and the name P. Lentulus is attested in Ascon. 5C; cf. Cic. Att. 12.28.3, and 30.1; Plut. Cic. 41.4; Macrob. Sat. 2.3.3. (TJC) See Shackleton Bailey, Studies 29- 32, 112, and Onom., on his name in adoption and his adoptive father. (Broughton MRR III)
    • p. 257-63 (Thommen 1989)
  • Legatus (Lieutenant)? 45 Hispania (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • He served, probably as a Legate, under Caesar in Spain (Cic. Phil. 2.75; cf. Att. 12.38.2; Fam. 9.10, and 11, and 13). (Broughton MRR II)
  • Consul Suffectus 44 (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • CIL 12.2.795, 942, 968; Fast. Cap., Degrassi 58f., 134, 500f.; Fast. Amit., ibid. 170f.; Fast. Ost., ibid. 182f.; Fast. Amer., ibid. 242; Fast. Colot., ibid. 273f.; Plin. NH 2.99; Joseph. AJ 14.217 and 221; Flor. 2.14.7; Obseq. 68. Caesar chose Dolabella with the intention that when he should depart for the Parthian war Dolabella should become Consul in his place (Cic. Phil. 2.79-80; Vell. 2.58.3; Plut. Ant. 11.2; App. BC 2.122; Dio 43.51.8), but Antony opposed the election (Cic. Phil. 1.31; 2.79 and 82-83 and 88 and 99; 3.9; 5.9; Plut. Ant. 11.2-3; Caes. 62.5). Dolabella however used the occasion of Caesar's assassination to secure the consent of both the Liberators and Antony to his succession (Cic. Phil. 1.5 and 31; 3.9; 5.9; Nic. Dam. Vit. Caes. 28, FGrH 2A.413; Vell. 2.58.3, and 60.4; App. BC 2.122; Dio 44.22.1, and 51.2; Jerome Chr. ad ann. 44, p. 157 Helm; Zonar. 10.12). He probably joined Antony in carrying in April a law for the settlement of veterans (Cic. Phil. 5. 10-11). In the same month during Antony's absence from Rome he suppressed a worship of Caesar and destroyed a pillar that had been erected where the body had been burned (Cic. Att. 14.20.2 and 4, and 15.1, and 16.2, and 19.4; Fam. 9.14.7; cf. Phil. 1.5 and 30; 2.107; Dio 44.51.2; Lactant. Inst. Div. 1.15). In the reallotment of consular provinces in April he received Syria (Cic. Att. 14.9.3, and 14.4; App. BC 3.7-8, and 12, and 24, and 27; 4.57; Dio 45.15.2; 47.29.1; cf. Cic. Phil. 11.4 and 28; see above, on Antony; and below, Legates, on Cicero). Soon after presiding over the meeting of the Senate on September 2 (Cic. Phil. 1.27) he prepared to depart for his province, and though still at Formiae on October 25 (Cic. Att. 15.13.5) returned no more to Rome. He was still Consul when he passed through Macedonia and took with him one legion from Caesar's former army there, and perhaps reached Asia by the end of the year (Cic. Att. 16.15.1; Phil. 11.4 and 16 and 27, delivered by early in March at the latest; App. BC 3.24-26, and 57; Gell. 3.9.4; Dio 45.15.2; 47.29.1; cf. Cic. Phil. 10.13; 11.27; Ad Brut. 1. 11. 1; Plut. Brut. 25. 1; Dio 47.21.3; and on the date, Joseph. AJ 14.225). See 43, Promagistrates. (Broughton MRR II)
  • Special Commissioners 44 (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • By decree of the Senate Antony and his colleague Dolabella were empowered to review, with the assistance of a commission, measures in Caesar's papers which he had planned but not published, but a law promulgated by Antony early in May and carried on June 2 nullified this measure by naming the two Consuls only as the commission (Cic. Att. 16.16C.11, and 16F.18; Phil. 2.100; 5.10; Dio 44.53.4; 45.23.7). (Broughton MRR II)
  • Septemvir Agris Dividendis 44 (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • Antony and Dolabella carried about mid-June a bill to establish a commission of seven (Cic. Att. 15.19.2; Phil. 5.21; 8.26; 12.23) with L. Antonius as chairman to divide all available public land among veteran soldiers and needy citizens (Cic. Phil. 5.7; Dio 45.9.1; cf. Cic. Att. 15.12.2, and 15.1, and 17.1, and 19.2; 16.3.1; Phil. 5.20; 7.17; 13.37; on Antony and Dolabella, see Phil. 5.33; 11.13; on L. Antonius, Phil. 5.20; 6.13; 7.16-17; 11.13; 12.20; 13.37; on Lento and Nucula, Phil. 2.99; 6.14; 8.26; 11.13; 12.20 and 23; 13.2 and 26 and 37; on C. Antonius, Att. 15.19.2, which is against including him. Saxa and Cafo had received lands in Campania, and Saxa was a skilled surveyor who expected to use his art, Cic. Phil. 8. 9 and 26; 10. 22; 11. 12 and 37; 12.20; and on Saxa also Phil. 2.99; 11.13; 13.2 and 27; 14.10; on both, see Syme, JRS 27 [1937] 127-137; and D.-G. 1.83, note 4). The law was declared invalid on January 4, 43, by decree of the Senate on the ground that it was carried by force (Cic. Phil. 5.7 and 2 1 ; 6.14:; 11. 13). (Broughton MRR II)
  • Proconsul 43 Syria (Broughton MRR II) Expand
    • Proconsul in Syria (see 44, Consuls). Entering Asia late in 44 or early in 43, he rewarded Trebonius for arranging to feed and supply his army by capturing Smyrna by surprise and putting him to death (Cic. Phil. 11.5 and 7-9; 12.21 and 25; 13.22; 14.8; Fam. 12.12.1, and 14.5, and 15.4; Ad Brut. 2.3.1 and 5; Liv. Per. 119; Vell. 2.69.1; App. BC 3.26, and 61, and 64; 4.58; Dio 47.29.1-3, and 30.6; Oros. 6.18.6; Zonar. 10.18; see below, on Trebonius). He was declared a public enemy and his property was confiscated (Cic. Phil. 11.9 and 15-16 and 29; 13.23 and 36-39; Fam. 12.15.2; Liv. Per. 119, and 12 1; App. BC 3.61, and 64; 4.58; Dio 47.28.5, and 29.4; Oros. 6.18.6). By oppressive levies and exactions he raised an army of two legions and a fleet, but lost part of his cavalry and much of his fleet to Lentulus Spinther (Cic. Phil. 11.6 and 16 and 25; Fam. 12.12. 1, and 13, and 14, and 15; Ad Brut. 12 1; cf. Strabo 14.1.37; App. BC 4.60; Joseph. AJ 14.225, with the title imperator, dated January 24; inscription of Tabai, L. Robert, Etud. Anat. 325, Imperator; and letters 1, 7, 51, 53, 55, 57, 61, in the Greek Letters of Brutus, Hercher, Epistol. Gr. 178-189). Reaching Syria, he was soon hemmed in by Cassius at Laodiceia and committed suicide, probably late in July (Cic. Fam. 12.12.5, and 13.4, and 14.4, and 15.7, Liv. Per. 121; Strabo 16.2.9; Vell. 2.69.2; Senec. Rhet. Suas. 1.7; Gell. 3.9.4; App. BC 4.60, and 62; 5.4; Dio 47.30; Oros. 6.18.13; Zonar. 10.18; and on the date, App. BC 3.95; Joseph. AJ 14.289; BJ 1.231). (Broughton MRR II)

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