A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

7. P.CorneliusCethegus, a friend of Marius, who being proscribed by Sulla (B. C. 88) fled with the younger Marius into Numidia, but returned next year to Rome with the heads of his party. In 83, however, he went over to Sulla, and was pardoned. (Appian, App. BC 1.60.62,80.) Notwithstanding his notorious bad life and utter want of faith, he retained great power and influence even after Sulla's death; and it was he who joined the consul M. Cotta in procuring the unlimited command of the Mediterranean for a man like himself, M. Antonius Creticus [ANTONIUS, No. 9]; nor did Lucullus disdain to sue Cethegus' concubine to use her interest in his favour, when he was seeking to obtain the command against Mithridates. (Cic. Parad. 5.3; Plut. Luc. 5, 6; comp. Cic. Clu. 31.)