Gnei Papyrius Carbon (consul 113 BC)

Gnei Papyriy belonged to the plebeian clan Papiriev . The first known Carbon bearer Carbon , Guy Papyri , reached praetra in 168 BC. e. ^[1] and was either the father or grandfather of Gnei. however, the researchers note that the gap between the pretext of Guy and the consul of the first of the representatives of the new generation of Carbons (48 years old) is too large for the first option and too small for the second ^[2] . In any case, the father of Carbon Consul bore the name Guy ^[3] .

Gnei Papyrius was the middle of the three brothers. The eldest was Guy Papyri Carbon , consul of 120 BC. e., younger - Mark ^[4] .

Given the date of the consul and the requirements of the law of Willius , which established the minimum time intervals between the higher magistrates , Gnei Papiry should not later than 116 BC. e. to hold the position of praetor. In this capacity, or later, with the authority of the prophet , he could rule the province of Asia . Thus, researchers interpret the fact that King Antiochus VIII Grip of the Seleucid dynasty dedicated an inscription on the island of Delos to Carbon ^{[5] [6]} .

In 113 BC e. Gnei Papyriy became consul together with another plebeian Guy Cecilius Metellus Caprarius ^[7] . It was in this year that the first clash of Rome with the Germans occurred: the Cimbri tribe invaded Norik and approached the borders of Italy. In response to such a clear threat, Carbon and the army took alpine passes, and then moved to the Germans and demanded that they leave the lands of the allies of Rome. Those declared their peaceful intentions; then the consul gave the Kimmers guides, whom he ordered the tribe to lead along the longest road. He led the army in the shortest possible way and attacked the Germans when they rested ^{[8] [9] [10]} .

In battle, despite the factor of surprise, the Romans suffered heavy losses. Appian argues that the army of Gnei Papyri would be completely destroyed if it were not for the thick fog, rain and thunderstorm, which forced the opponents to stop the battle. After that, the Cimbri "went to the Gauls ", and the surviving Romans hid in the forests. Only on the third day did they come together in one place ^{[8] [9] [11]} .

Appian does not specify exactly where the battle took place ^[9] . According to Strabo , this was near the city of Norea ^[12] .

Later, the young nobleman Mark Anthony (later nicknamed “Orator”) brought Gnei Papiry to court. This process is mentioned only in two sources ^{[4] [13]} , which do not say anything about the essence of the charges; allegedly it was a war with the Germans, and in this case the case was to be heard in 112 BC. e. - immediately after the consular powers of Carbon. The sentence was guilty. After the process, Gnei Papyri committed suicide by using boot ink instead of poison ^[14] .

Gnei Papyri had two sons. The elder, also Gnei , was one of the leaders of the Marian party during the Civil War, and a three-time consul (in 85, 84 and 82 BC). The second, Guy , was supposedly a tribune in 89 BC. e. and praetor in 81 BC e. ^[15] .

Appian, who describes in more detail the war with the Cimbrians (though this author uses the ethnonym Teutons ), clearly blames Carbon not only for the defeat, but even for the fact that the battle took place. At the same time, researchers state that Appian very tendentiously sets forth the material ^{[9] [11]} .

Sources

1. Appian of Alexandria . Roman history. - M .: Ladomir, 2002 .-- 880 p. - ISBN 5-86218-174-1 .
2. Apulia Apology // Apuley. Apology. Metamorphoses. Florida. - M .: Ladomir, 1996 .-- S. 5-98. - ISBN 5-02-011162-7 .
3. Capitoline fasts (neopr.) . Site "History of Ancient Rome". Date of treatment January 21, 2018.
4. Strabo Geography. - M .: Ladomir, 1994 .-- 944 p.
5. Mark Tullius Cicero. Letters from Mark Tullius Cicero to Attica, relatives, brother Quintus, M. Brutus. - SPb. : Nauka, 2010 .-- V. 3 .-- 832 p. - ISBN 978-5-02-025247-9 , 978-5-02-025244-8.

Literature

1. Korolenkov A., Smykov E. Sulla. - M .: Young Guard, 2007 .-- 430 p. - ISBN 978-5-235-02967-5 .
2. Broughton R. Magistrates of the Roman Republic. - New York, 1951. - Vol. I. - P. 600.
3. Münzer F. Papirii Carbones // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1949. - Bd. XVIII, 3. - Kol. 1014.
4. Münzer F. Papirius 33 // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1949. - Bd. XVIII, 3. - Kol. 1016-1020.
5. Münzer F. Papirius 37 // Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft . - 1949. - Bd. XVIII, 3. - Kol. 1022-1024.

• Gnei Papyrius Carbon (consul 113 BC) (English) . - in Smith 's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.