Gnaeus Papirius Carbo (consul 113 BC)

Gnaeus Papirius Carbo was Roman consul in 113 BC, together with Gaius Caecilius Metellus Caprarius.

This article is about the Roman statesman who fought against the Cimbri. For his son, who was three times consul, see Gnaeus Papirius Carbo (consul 80s BC).

Life

He was according to Cicero (ad Fam. ix. 21) the father of the Carbo of the same name, who was thrice consul, whereas this latter is called by Velleius Paterculus (II 26) a brother of Gaius Papirius Carbo Arvina. This difficulty may be solved by supposing that the word frater in Velleius is equivalent to frater patruelis or cousin. (Perizon., Animadv. Hist. p. 96.)

During his consulship, he was ordered by the Senate to take legions to defend the Alps from the migration of the Cimbri.[1] There, he shadowed the Germanic tribe and ambushed them near Noreia. At the ensuing Battle of Noreia, although Carbo held the advantage in terrain and surprise, his forces were overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of Cimbrian warriors.[2] The Cimbri, while smashing the Roman army, did not advance into Italy, seemingly looking for some place to settle.[2]

He was afterwards accused by Marcus Antonius Orator for provoking and then losing the Battle of Noreia.[3] Securing a conviction, Carbo committed suicide rather than depart for exile,[4] taking a solution of vitriol (atramentum sutorium, Cic., ad Fam. IX 21; Liv., Epit. 63.).

See also

Sources
  • Duncan, Mike (2017). The Storm before the Storm. New York: PublicAffairs. ISBN 978-1-5417-2403-7.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) Details a broad narrative history of history from the death of the Gracchi brothers to the dictatorship of Sulla.

References
  1. Duncan 2017, p. 100.
  2. Duncan 2017, p. 101.
  3. Duncan 2017, p. 102.
  4. Duncan 2017, p. 103.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Carbo (3)". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 1. p. 611.


Political offices
Preceded by
Manius Acilius Balbus and Gaius Porcius Cato		 Consul of the Roman Republic
with Gaius Caecilius Metellus Caprarius
113 BC		 Succeeded by
Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus and Marcus Livius Drusus
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