A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

5. L.Cornificius, probably, from his praenomen, the son of No. 4, was the accuser of M. Brutus in the court by which the murderers of Caesar were tried. He afterwards commanded the fleet of Octavianus in the war against Sex. Pompey, and by his boldness and bravery saved the fleet when it was in great danger off the coast of Sicily (B. C. 38), and took the ship of Demochares, the admiral of the Pompeian squadron. Cornificius again distinguished himself in the canmpaign of B. C. 36. He had been left by Octavianus with the land forces at Tauromenium, where they were in circumstances of the greatest peril; but by a most bold and dangerous march he arrived at Mylae, and united his army with Agrippa's. For these services he was rewarded with the consulship in the following year, B. C. 35; and he considered himself entitled to such honour from saving the lives of the soldiers, that he was accustomed afterwards at Rome to ride home upon an elephant whenever he supped out. Like the other generals of Augustus, Cornificius was obliged afterwards to expend some of his property in embellishing the city, and accordingly built a temple of Diana. (Plut. Brut. 27; Appian, App. BC 5.80, 86, 111-115; D. C. 49.5_7; Vell. 2.79; D. C. 49.18; Suet. Aug. 29.)