Dolabella
The name of a celebrated patrician family of the Cornelia gens. Those most deserving of
notice are:
1.
Cn. Cornelius Dolabella, consul B.C. 81, whom the young Iulius
Caesar accused in the year 77 of extortion in his province.
2.
Cn. Cornelius Dolabella, praetor urbanus B.C. 81. With Verres as
his legate he plundered his province in Cilicia, and upon his return was accused, betrayed by
Verres, and condemned.
3.
P. Cornelius Dolabella, the son-in-law of Cicero, whose daughter
Tullia he married in B.C. 51. He was one of the most profligate men of his age, and his
conduct caused Cicero great uneasiness. On the breaking out of the Civil War he joined
Caesar, and fought on his side at the battle of Pharsalia (B.C. 48), and was raised by him to
the consulship in 44. He afterwards received from Antony the province of Syria. On his way to
his province he plundered the cities of Greece and Asia Minor, in consequence of which the
Senate sent against him Cassius, who took Caesarea, in which Dolabella had taken refuge. That
he might not fall into the hands of his enemies he committed suicide, B.C. 43.
