a celebrated robber chief, who, having collected a band of 600 followers, ravaged Italy for the space of two years, during the reign of Septimius Severus, setting at defiance all the efforts of the imperial officers to effect his capture, till at length he was betrayed by a mistress, taken prisoner, and thrown to wild beasts. Dio Cassius (76.21) has preserved several curious anecdotes of his exploits, which were chairacteriscd by a combination of reckless daring and consummate prudence.
[W.R]A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
Smith, William
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890