Lucius Cornelius Balbus
See also: Cornelius Balbus
Lucius Cornelius Balbus , native of Gadès in Spain, deserved by its rendered services with Pompée the title of Roman citizen; The title of Roman citizen having been disputed him, Cicéron made in its favor a speech which we still have.
Balbus became the personal secretary of Jules César, which charged it with the management of its business during its absence. In 48 av. J.C, at the time of the civil war between César and Pompée, with the seat of Dyrrachium, it was introduced into the camp of the pompéiens and in vain tried to thwart Lentulus, consul of the previous year.
It was Consul suffect in 40 before J. - C., becoming the first provincial one to obtain this magistrature and was allowed in the colleges of the Pontife S.
According to the historian Dion Cassius, it exceeded so much in richnesses and munificence the men of its time, that while dying it bequeathed to the Romans approximately twenty-five Drachme S per capita.