A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. A native of Celtiberia, was one of Caesar's soldiers, who rose from the ranks to offices of importance and trust. According to Cicero, he was originally a land-surveyor, who marked out the ground for the camp, and was not even a Roman citizen (Cic. Phil. 11.5, 13.13). He served under Caesar in Spain, against the legates of Pompey, in B. C. 49, and appears to have remained in that country till the conclusion of the war against the sons of Pompey in B. C. 45, when he came to Rome with Caesar, and was made by the latter tribune of the plebs for the following year. In the troubles following Caesar's death, Saxa took an active part in supporting the friends of his murdered patron. He attached himself to M. Antonius, and served under him as centurion in the siege of Mutina. In B. C. 42, Saxa and Norbanus were sent by Antonius and Octavianus to Macedonia, with eight legions. They took possession of the mountain-passes beyond Philippi, in order to stop the march of Brutus and Cassius, but the latter changed their route and arrived safely at Philippi. Saxa and Norbanus now fell back upon Amphipolis, and confined themselves to the defensive, as the forces of the enemy far outnumbered their own. After the defeat of Brutus and Cassius Saxa accompanied Antony to the East, and was made by the latter governor of Syria. Soon after his appointment the younger Labienus invaded Syria (B. C. 40), at the head of a powerful Parthian army, and defeated Saxa, who lied from his camp in the course of the same night, fearing that his soldiers would go over to Labienus. He had intended to take refuge in Antioch; but hearing that the important town of Apameia had fallen into the hands of Labienus, he did not venture to go to Antioch, but continued his flight towards Cilicia. He was, however, overtaken by the troops of Labienus, and put to death by them. One account states that he killed himself to avoid falling into their power. (Caes. Civ. 1.66; Cic. Phil. 8.3, 9.26, 10.10, 11.5, 12.8, 13.13, 14.4; Dion

Cass. 47.35, 36, 48.24, 25; Appian, App. BC 4.87, 5.102_107, Syr. 51; Veil. Pat. 2.78 ; Liv. Epit. 127; Flor. 4.9.)