Quintus Tullius Cicero

Also known as: Cicero / Q. Cicero / Q. Tullius Cicero / Quintus Tullius · Family: Roman · Role: legate · First appears: The Gallic War, Book V, 23–28

In Book V of the Gallic War, Caesar assigned Quintus Tullius Cicero a legion to winter among the Nervii. The Nervii and their allies attacked the winter camp, and during the siege Cicero’s soldiers raised 120 towers in one night. He refused the enemy’s proposed terms unless they laid down their arms. Ambiorix urged the Nervii to cut Cicero’s legion off, while Vertico, who had deserted to Cicero in the beginning of the blockade, carried messages between him and Caesar. Caesar promised to arrive quickly, and Cicero later reported that the enemy had turned their force against him. Caesar reached him the same day, ended the blockade and commended Cicero and his legion.

In Book VI, Caesar left Cicero in command of the fourteenth legion and camp guarding the baggage; on the seventh day, Cicero sent five cohorts to forage nearby. In Book VII, Caesar stationed him with Publius Sulpicius among the Aedui to procure grain. In Book VIII, Caesar placed him among the lieutenants commanding four legions in the country of the Belgae.