Ventidius Bassus

A celebrated Roman general, who at first gained a poor living by letting mules and carriages to officials. Caesar, however, saw his abilities, and employed him in Gaul, and in the Civil War (Dio Cass. xliii. 51; xv. 4). After Caesar's death Ventidius sided with M. Antony, and in B.C. 43 was made consul suffectus. In 39 Antony sent Ventidius into Asia, where he defeated the Parthians and Labienus; and in the second campaign gained a still more brilliant victory over the Parthians, who had again invaded Syria. For these services he obtained a triumph in 38. His later history is unknown (Dio Cass. xliii. 51; Gell. xv. 4; Eutrop. vii. 3; Plut. Ant. 34; Juv. vii. 199).