Balbus, L. Cornelius
, of Gades. A soldier who served under Pompey against Sertorius in Spain, and received from
him the gift of Roman citizenship, and, returning with him to Rome, lived on intimate terms
with Caesar as well as with Pompey. In B.C. 56, he was accused of having illegally assumed
Roman citizenship; was defended by Cicero, whose speech has come down to us; and was
acquitted. In the Civil War, Balbus had the management of Caesar's affairs at Rome. After the
death of Caesar he gained the favour of Octavianus, who raised him to the consulship in B.C.
40.