Dolabella

Dolabella, PUBLIUS CORNELIUS, Cicero's profligate son-in-law, was born about 70 B.C., and in 49 had to seek a refuge from his creditors in the camp of Cæsar. In the following year he obtained the tribuneship, and at once brought forward a bill, cancelling all debts, which led to bitter and bloody struggles in Rome. He accompanied Cæsar to Africa and Spain, but on his leader's death promptly usurped the consular insignia, approved of the murder, and made a great display of republican sentiments, which he professed until Antony gave him the province of Syria. At Smyrna he murdered C. Trebonius, the proconsul, in February 43, and proceeded to wring money and troops from the towns of Asia with a recklessness that speedily brought about his outlawry. Within the year, Laodicea, in which he had shut himself up, was taken by Cassius, and Dolabella, to escape his enemies, ordered one of his own soldiers to kill him, 43 B.C.