A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

3. Cn.PapiriusCarbo, a son of No. 1, was consul in B. C. 113, together with C. Caecilius Metellus. He was according to Cicero (Cic. Fam. 9.21) the father of Cn. Papirius Carbo, who was thrice consul [No. 7], whereas this latter is called by Velleius Paterculus (2.26) a brother of No. 6. This difficulty may be solved by supposing that our Cn. Papirius Carbo and C. Papirius Carbo [No. 2] were brothers, so that the word frater in Velleins is equivalent to frater patruelis or cousin. (Perizon. Animadv. Hist. p. 96.) In his consulship the Cimbrians advanced from Gaul into Italy and Illyricum, and Carbo, who was sent against them, was put to flight with his whole army. He was afterwards accused by M. Antonius, we know not for what reason, and put an end to his own life by taking a solution of vitriol (atramentum sutoritum, Cic. Fam. 9.21; Liv. Epit. 63).