A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

9. P.Oppius, was quaestor in Bithynia to M. Aurelius Cotta, who was consul in B. C. 74, and who remained in Bithynia for the next three or four years. Oppiusappears to have appropriated to his own use many of the supplies intended for the troops ; and when he was charged with this by Cotta, he forgot himself so far as to draw his sword upon the proconsul. Cotta accordinglydismissed him from the province, and sent a letter to the senate, in which he formally accused Oppius of malversation, and of making an attempt upon the life of his imnperator. He was brought to trial in B. C. 69, and was defended by Cicero. The speech which Cicero delivered in his favour is lost, but it seems to have been one of considerable merit, as it is referred to several times by Quintilian. (D. C. 36.23 ; Quint. Inst. 5.10.69, 5.13.17; Sall. Hist. iii. p. 218. ed. Gerlach; Cic. Fraigm. vol. iv. p. 444, ed. Orelli; Drumann, Geschichte Romns, vol. v. p. 343.)