La'beo, Q. Fa'bius
was quaestor urbanus in B. C. 196.
The augurs and priests had for some years resisted the payment of the tributum; but, after a stout contest, Labeo and his colleague L. Aurelius compelled them to yield the point, and pay up all arrears. (
Liv. 33.42.) In B. C. 189 he was elected praetor, and was appointed by lot to the command of the fleet. Eager for some opportunity of distinguishing himself, he sailed from Ephesus to Crete, where it was reported that a large number of Roman citizens were in a state of slavery. None but the Gortynii heeded his demand that they should be surrendered; but from them he obtained a considerable number (4000 according to Valerius Antias), which afforded him a pretext for demanding a triumph.
He then sent three ships to Macedonia, to demand the withdrawment of the garrisons of Antiochus from Aenus and Maronia.
The treaty with Antiochus had just been concluded by Cn. Manlius, and in accordance with the terms of it Labeo was despatched to Patara, to destroy the ships of the king which were there.
He afterwards got possession of Telmissus, and then conducted the fleet back to Italy.
The triumph which he demanded was accorded to him, notwithstanding the opposition of the tribunes. (
Liv. 37.47,
50,
60,
38.39,
47). In B. C. 185 he became a candidate for the consulship; but App. Claudius succeeded in getting his brother Publius elected in his stead.
This was the second repulse of the kind which he had received. (
Liv. 39.32).
In the following year he was appointed one of the triumvirs for planting colonies at Potentia and Pisaurum. (
Id. 44). In B. C. 183 he was elected consul with M. Claudius Marcellus. Liguria was assigned to the consuls as their province. (
Id. 45.)
He was created pontifex in B. C. 180. (40.42.) Cicero (
De Off. 1.10) has a story of a trick by which either Labeo, or somebody else, having been appointed arbitrator between the towns of Nola and Neapolis, respecting some disputed land, obtained a tract of territory for the Romans.
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