A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

4. LABIENUS was one of those included in the proscription of the triumvirs in B. C. 43, but we know not whether he was in any way connected with the other persons of this name. It is related of him that he had taken an active part in apprehending and killing those who had been proscribed by Sulla; and deeming it disgraceful not to meet a similar fate with courage, he seated himself in front of his house, and quietly waited for the assassins. (Appian, App. BC 4.26.) Whether this Labienus is the same as the one whose place of concealment his freedmen could be induced by no tortures to reveal (Macrob. Saturn. 1.11), is doubtful : the account of Appian would imply that they were two different persons, as the former did not seek to conceal himself.