A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. M.CorneliusCethegus, M. F. M. N., was curule aedile in B. C. 213, and pontifex maximus in the same year upon the death of L. Lentulus; praetor in 211 when he had the charge of Apulia; censor in 209 with P. Sempronius Tuditanus; and consul with the same colleague in 204. In the next year he commanded as proconsul in Cisalpine Gaul, where with the praetor Quintilius Varus he defeated Mago, the brother of Hannibal, and compelled him to quit Italy. He died in B. C. 196 (Liv. 25.2, 41, 27.11, 29.11, 30.18.) His eloquence was rated very high, so that Ennius gave him the name of Suadae medulla (ap. Cic. Cat. Maj. 14; comp. Brut. 15), and Horace twice refers to him as an ancient authority for the usage of Latin words. (Epist. 2.2. 116, Ars Poet. 50, and Schol. ad loc.)