Dolabella

Dolabella (Publius Cornelius Dolabella) (dolubel'u) [key], c.70 B.C.–43 B.C., Roman general, notorious for his unscrupulousness. He divorced his wife Fabia and married (50 B.C.) Tullia, daughter of Cicero, to gain the support of that statesman. He transferred allegiance from Pompey to Caesar, fought at Pharsalus, and accompanied Caesar to Africa and Spain. On the assassination of Caesar he at first favored the conspirators, then, with Antony's help, seized the consulship. He was commander of an army sent against Parthia and Syria, but he murdered the Roman proconsul Caius Trebonius at Smyrna to get possession of the town treasure. As a result he was outlawed by the senate. Dolabella was captured in Syria and, in despair, ordered one of his soldiers to kill him.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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