BALBUS, LUCIUS CORNELIUS

flourished 1st century BC wealthy Roman, originally from Gades (modern Cdiz, Spain), who exerted influence on the major Roman political figures of the last years of the republic. Gnaeus Pompey conferred Roman citizenship on Balbus and his family for his services against the rebel Quintus Sertorius in Spain. Becoming friendly with all political parties in Rome, Balbus had the determining role in the formation of the first triumvirate (60) and was one of the city's chief financiers. He won the favour of Julius Caesar, accompanying the general as chief of staff to Spain (61) and Gaul (58). In 56, however, Balbus' enemies had him prosecuted for illegally assuming the rights of a Roman citizen, a charge directed as much against the triumvirs as against the defendant. With Cicero, Pompey, and Marcus Licinius Crassus speaking on his behalf, Balbus was acquitted. At the beginning of the Civil War (4945) he attempted to persuade Cicero to mediate between Caesar and Pompey. Balbus then became Caesar's private secretary; he attached himself to Octavian after Caesar's murder in 44. He was consulthe first time for a provincialin 40. Balbus published a diary, now lost, of the chief events of his life.