A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. Q.Ligarius, is first mentioned in B. C. 50 as legate, in Africa, of C. Considius Longus, who left him in command of the province, while he went to Rome to become a candidate for the consulship. [CONSIDIUS, No. 9.] On the breaking out of the civil war in the following year, L. Attius Varus, who had commanded the Pompeian troops at Auximum, and had been obliged to fly before Caesar, arrived in Africa, of which province he had been formerly propraetor. Into his hands Ligarius resigned the government, although L. Aelius Tubero had been appointed to the province by the senate; and when Tubero made his appearance off Utica shortly afterwards, he was not permitted even to land. Ligarius fought under Varus against Curio in the course of the same year (B. C. 49), and against Caesar himself in B. C. 46. After the battle of Thapsus, in which the Pompeian army was defeated, Ligarius was taken prisoner at Adrumetum. His life was spared, but he was banished by Caesar. His friends at Rome exerted themselves to procure his pardon, but were unable to succeed at first. notwithstanding the intercession of his brothers, of his uncle, T. Brocchus, and of Cicero himself, who had an audience with the dictator on the 23d of September, B. C. 46, for the purpose. Meantime, a public accusation was brought against Ligarius by Q. Aelius Tubero, the son of L. Tubero, whom Ligarius had united with Varus in preventing from landing in Africa. He was accused on account of his conduct in Africa, and his connection with the enemies of the dictator. The case was pleaded before Caesar himself in the forum. Cicero defended Ligarius in a speech still extant, in which he maintains that Ligarius had as much claims to the mercy of Caesar, as Tubero and Cicero himself. Ligarius was pardoned by Caesar, who was on the point of setting out for the Spanish war, and who probably was not sorry to have this public opportunity of exhibiting his usual mercy. The speech which Cicero delivered in his defence was subsequently published, and was much admired. Ligarius, however, felt no gratitude for the favour that had been shown him, and eagerly joined the conspirators, who assassinated Caesar in B. C. 44.