Titus Labienus

Also known as: Labienus / T. Labienus · Family: Roman · Role: lieutenant · First appears: The Gallic War, Book I, 7–13

In Book I of the Gallic War, Caesar appointed Titus Labienus to command a fortification, then ordered him to seize a mountain with two legions. Labienus held its summit by daybreak while Caesar approached the enemy camp, and was later placed over the winter quarters among the Sequani. In Book II, Labienus followed the cavalry pursuing the retreating enemy; in Book III, Caesar sent him with cavalry to the Treviri.

In Book V, Caesar left Labienus on the continent with three legions and 2,000 horse to guard the harbours, provide grain and gather intelligence, and also directed him to build ships. During the winter, Labienus reported the danger of bringing his legion out of its quarters. When Indutiomarus threatened the Remi and Labienus’s camp, Cingetorix informed him of the plan. Labienus summoned cavalry from neighbouring states, and they pursued and killed Indutiomarus.

In later books, Labienus undertook campaigns on Caesar’s orders, including operations among the Treviri, the Menappii, the Senones and the Parisii, and the Sequani, where Caesar attached Marcus Sempronius Rutilus to his command. At Lutetia, Labienus defeated Camulogenus’s forces; after the battle, he returned to Agendicum and marched with his forces to Caesar. In Book VIII, he arranged an attempt on Commius after discovering a conspiracy against Caesar, captured Surus in a cavalry action, and was made governor of Cisalpine Gaul. The account then places him with Pompey at Dyrrachium, where he swore he would never desert him and would share his fate. During talks at the river Apsus, Labienus’s discussion with Publius Vatinius was interrupted by darts; Labienus declared there could be no peace without Caesar’s head. After a later battle, he had prisoners put to death with Pompey’s consent, and swore never to return to camp unless victorious.