Gaius Trebatius Testa (C.84 BC-AD 4, fl. 1st century BC,) was a
jurist of
ancient Rome
In modern historiography, ancient Rome refers to Roman civilisation from the founding of the city of Rome in the 8th century BC to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. It encompasses the Roman Kingdom (753–509 BC ...
, whose family, and himself, originated from
Elea.
Friendship with Cicero and the Caesars
Some twenty years younger than
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero ( ; ; 3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC) was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, and academic skeptic, who tried to uphold optimate principles during the political crises that led to the esta ...
, Trebatius was both a familiar friend and a protégé of the latter. Cicero dedicated his ''Topica'' to Trebatius, and recommended Trebatius as a legal advisor to
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war, ...
, calling him a thorough gentleman and a "leading light in civil law". Trebatius enjoyed Caesar's favor, making his fortune alongside him in Gaul, and supporting him in the Civil War.
Later he also worked closely with
Augustus
Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian, was the first Roman emperor; he reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. He is known for being the founder of the Roman Pr ...
, and was subsequently described in the
''Digest'' as being of the greatest authority for Augustan law.
Character
A good-humoured man - Cicero wrote of sending him "badinage in your own style" - Trebatius was featured by
Horace as a learned adviser in his
''Satires''. As well as a fondness for wine, Trebatius also seemed to enjoy swimming as a hobby.
Legal career and influence
A pupil of
Cornelius Maximus, Trebatius played a key part in the transfer of legal authority from the senate to individual jurisconsults under the
Principate
The Principate is the name sometimes given to the first period of the Roman Empire from the beginning of the reign of Augustus in 27 BC to the end of the Crisis of the Third Century in AD 284, after which it evolved into the so-called Dominate.
...
.
An expert on sacral law,
[ A Bauman, ''Lawyers in Roman Transitional Politics'' (1985) p.123] Trebatius' writings included a ''de religionibus'' and ''de iure civili'', but not even excerpts of these survive. He was, however, frequently cited by later jurists, and also had a high reputation as the teacher of
Marcus Antistius Labeo
Marcus Antistius Labeo (d. 10 or 11 AD) was a Roman jurist.
Marcus Antistius Labeo was the son of Pacuvius Labeo, a jurist who caused himself to be slain after the defeat of his party at Philippi. Since his name was different from his father's, ...
.
See also
*
Aulus Ofilius
*
Gaius Matius - friend of Cicero/Trebatius
*
Servius Sulpicius Rufus
Servius Sulpicius Rufus (c. 105 BC – 43 BC), was a Roman orator and jurist. He was consul in 51 BC.
Biography Early life
He studied rhetoric with Cicero, accompanying him to Rhodes in 78 BC, though Sulpicius decided subsequently to pursue lega ...
- legal rival
References
Ancient Roman jurists
Correspondents of Cicero
1st-century BC Romans
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