A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

10. C.CassiusLonginusVarus, of uncertain descent, was consul B. C. 73, with M. Terentius Varro Lucullus. In order to quiet the people, the consuls of this year brought forward a law (lex Terentia Cassia) by which corn was to be purchased and then sold in Rome at a small price. (Cic. Ver. 1.23, 3.41.) In the following year Longinus commanded as proconsul in Cisalpine Gaul, and was defeated by Spartacus near Mutina, but was not killed in the battle, as Orosius states. (Liv. Epit. 96; Flor. 3.20; Plut. Crass. 9; Oros. 5.24.) In B. C. 66 he supported the Manilian law for giving the command of the Mithridatic war to Pompey. (Cic. pro Leg. Man. 23.) He must have lived to a very advanced age: the consular Varus, who was proscribed and killed at Millturnae in B. C. 43, can have been no other than the subject of this article, as we find no other consul with this surname from B. C. 73. (Appian, App. BC 4.28.)