Marcus Bibulus

Also known as: Bibulus · Role: commander · First appears: The Civil War, Book III, 1–8

In Book III of the Civil War, Bibulus commanded the maritime forces opposing Caesar. At Corcyra, he captured about thirty returning ships and burned them, killing their mariners and masters. His command included Caius Marcellus, Decimus Laelius, Caius Triarius, Caius Cassius, Caius Coponius, Scribonius Libo, Marcus Octavius and Cneius, Pompey's son.

At Oricum, Caesar’s forces cut Bibulus off from access to land, water and supplies. As scarcity pressed, he and Scribonius Libo requested and obtained a truce. Bibulus later died after falling ill from cold and fatigue; afterward, each admiral managed his own division. In the same book, Pompey was described as having sent commands through Bibulus, and at Corcyra Bibulus had hoped to intercept Caesar’s ships.

Relationship record

Life events

Bibulus captured about thirty returning ships and burned them, killing their mariners and masters.(The Civil War, Book III, 1–8 · 📍 Corcyra)
- “and having taken about thirty, vented on them his rage at his own remissness, and set them all on fire: and, with the same flames, he destroyed the mariners and masters of the vessels”
Bibulus was deprived of access to land, water, and supplies and suffered extreme scarcity.(The Civil War, Book III, 15–20 · 📍 Oricum)
- “And as he debarred Caesar of the liberty of the sea and harbours, so he was deprived of all intercourse with the country by land; for the whole shore was occupied by parties disposed in different places by Caesar.”
Bibulus and Libo requested and obtained a truce.(The Civil War, Book III, 15–20 · 📍 Oricum)
- With: Scribonius Libo
- “In the meantime they requested a truce, and obtained it from them”
Bibulus died after falling ill from cold and fatigue.(The Civil War, Book III, 15–20)
- “On his death, the sole command devolved on no single individual, but each admiral managed his own division separately, and at his own discretion.”

The Civil War, Book III, 1–8

enemies with Caesar “For Bibulus, at Corcyra, being informed of Caesar's approach, hoped to fall in with some part of our ships, with their cargoes”
subordinate: Caius Marcellus “But Marcus Bibulus was appointed commander-in-chief of the whole maritime department, and regulated every matter.”
subordinate: Decimus Laelius “But Marcus Bibulus was appointed commander-in-chief of the whole maritime department, and regulated every matter.”
subordinate: Caius Triarius “But Marcus Bibulus was appointed commander-in-chief of the whole maritime department, and regulated every matter.”
subordinate: Caius Cassius “But Marcus Bibulus was appointed commander-in-chief of the whole maritime department, and regulated every matter.”
subordinate: Caius Coponius “But Marcus Bibulus was appointed commander-in-chief of the whole maritime department, and regulated every matter.”
subordinate: Scribonius Libo “But Marcus Bibulus was appointed commander-in-chief of the whole maritime department, and regulated every matter.”
subordinate: Marcus Octavius “But Marcus Bibulus was appointed commander-in-chief of the whole maritime department, and regulated every matter.”
subordinate: Cneius, Pompey's son “But Marcus Bibulus was appointed commander-in-chief of the whole maritime department, and regulated every matter.”

The Civil War, Book III, 15–20

enemies with Caesar “as he debarred Caesar of the liberty of the sea and harbours, so he was deprived of all intercourse with the country by land; for the whole shore was occupied by parties disposed in different places by Caesar.”
friends with Scribonius Libo “and Libo had joined Bibulus”

The Civil War, Book III, 21–28

commander: Pompey (The passage says Bibulus conveyed Pompey's commands to Milo.) “Milo in the meantime despatched letters to the free towns, purporting that he acted as he did by the orders and commands of Pompey, conveyed to him by Bibulus:”

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Extracted from the original text of Caesar's Commentaries — The Gallic War and The Civil War. Made with Rho MD.