A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. P.Rupilius, P. F. P. N., was consul B. C. 132 with C. Popillius Laenas, the year after the murder of Tib. Gracchus. In conjunction with his colleague, he prosecuted with the utmost cruelty all the adherents and friends of the fallen tribune. In the same year he was sent into Sicily against the slaves, and brought the servile war to a conclusion, for which he obtained a triumph on his return to Rome. He remained in the island as proconsul in the. following year, B. C. 131; and, with ten commissioners appointed by the senate, he made various regulations for the government of the province, which were known by the name of Lex Rupilia, though it was not a lex proper. (Vell. 2.7; Cic. Lael. 11; Liv. Epit. 59 ; Oros. 5.9; V. Max. 2.7.3, 6.9.8, 9.12.1; Cic. Ver. 3.54, 4.50, ad Ati. 13.32, Verr. 2.13, 15, 16.) Rupilius was condemned, along with his colleague in the tribunate of C. Gracchus, B. C. 123, on account of his illegal and cruel acts in the prosecution of the friends of Tib. Gracchus (Vell. Pat. l.c.). He was an intimate friend of Scipio Africanus the younger, who obtained the consulship for him, but who failed in gaining the same honour for his brother Lucius. He is said to have taken his brother's failure so much to heart as to have died in consequence ; but as it probably happened about the same time as his own condemnation, the latter indignity may have had more share in causing his death. (Cic. Lael. 19, 20, 27, Tusc. 4.17.)