A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

2. Cn.BaebiusTamphilus, tribune of the plebs, B. C. 204, impeached the censors, M. Livius Salinator and C. Claudiuis Nero, on account of the way in which they had administered the duties of their office; but the senate, although discontented with the conduct of the censors, obliged the tribune to drop the prosecution, as they thought it more advisable to uphold the principle of the irresponsibility of the censors than to inflict upon then the punishment they deserved. In B. C. 199 Tamphilus was praetor, and received the command of the legions of the consul of the preceding year, C. Aurelius Cotta, which were stationed in the neighborhood of Ariminum, with instructions to await the arrival rival of the new consul, C. Cornelius Lentulus. But Tamphilus, anxious to obtain glory, made an incursion into the country of the Insubrii, by whom he was defeated with great loss. On the arrival of Lentulus soon afterwards, he was ordered dered to leave the province, and was sent lack to Rome in disgrace. In B. C. 186 Tamphilus was one of the triumviri for founding two colonies, and in B. C. 1182 he was consul with L. Aemilius Paulus. In conjunction with his colleague, Tamphilus fought aginst the Ligurians with success, and remained in the country as proconsul in the following year. (Liv. 29.37; V. Max. 7.2.6; Liv. 31.49, 50, 32.1. 7, 39.23, 56, 40.1, 16, 25.)