Titus Labienus served as tribune of the Plebs in 63 BC.
22 Facts About Titus Labienus
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In 63 BC, Titus Labienus was a tribune of the Plebs with close ties to Pompey.
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Titus Labienus used the antiquated procedure of the duumviri, used in the early republic, against Rabirius.
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Titus Labienus was more a soldier than politician and primarily used his office as a gateway to secure himself positions of high military command.
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Titus Labienus was a skilled cavalry commander and could be considered a military genius.
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Titus Labienus commanded the winter quarters in Vesontio in 58 BC.
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Titus Labienus had full command of the legions in Gaul during Caesar's absence, as his legatus pro praetore.
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Titus Labienus had this privilege when Caesar was administering justice in Cisalpine Gaul as well as during Caesar's second campaign in Britain.
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In 57 BC, during the Belgian campaign, in a battle against the Atrebates and Nervii near Sabis, Titus Labienus, commanding the 9th and 10th legions, defeated the opposing Atrebates force and proceeded to take the enemy camp.
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Titus Labienus is credited with the defeat of the Treviri under Indutiomarus.
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Titus Labienus spent days with his army fortified in their camp, while Indutiomarus harassed him daily in an attempt at intimidation and demoralization.
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Titus Labienus waited for the right moment, when Indutiomarus and his forces were returning to their camp disorganized, to send out his cavalry through two gates.
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Titus Labienus gave them the orders to first kill Indutiomarus, then his trailing forces on their return.
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Titus Labienus's men were successful, and with the death of their leader, the Treviri army scattered.
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The Treviri forces later regrouped under relatives of Indutiomarus and moved upon Titus Labienus, setting up camp across the river from his legions, waiting for reinforcements from the Germans.
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Titus Labienus feigned a withdrawal, enticing the Treviri to cross the river, after which he turned around and had his men attack.
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Titus Labienus was rapturously welcomed on the Pompeian side, bringing some Gallic and German cavalry with him.
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Titus Labienus attempted to persuade Pompey to face Caesar in Italy and not retreat to Hispania to regroup, insisting that Caesar's army was thin and weakened after his campaign in Gaul.
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Titus Labienus created confidence in the followers of Pompey by lying to them, claiming that Caesar had received a mortal wound at the Battle of Pharsalus.
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Titus Labienus was able through sheer force of numbers to inflict a slight check upon Caesar at the Battle of Ruspina in 46 BC.
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However, Titus Labienus was unable to defeat Caesar's forces, and was compelled to leave the field.
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Titus Labienus was commanding the Pompeians' cavalry unit at the time, and seeing this, took the cavalry from the front lines to meet him.