26. L. CORNELIUS LENTUIUS CRUS. (Cic. Fam. 8.4, init.) Who he was, and whence he derived his agnomen of Crus, is unknown.
In B. C. 61, he appeared as the chief accuser of P. Clodius, for violating the mysteries of the Bona Dea (Argum. ad Cic. in Clod., de Harusp. Resp. 17). In 58 he was praetor, and Cicero calculated on his aid against Clodius (ad Q. Fr. 1.2, fin.); and he did attempt to rouse Pompey to protect the orator, but in vain (in Pison. 31). He was not raised to the consular dignity till B. C. 50, when he obtained this post, with C. Marcellus M. f., as being a known enemy to Caesar (Caes. Gal. 8, 50); though in the year before, P. Dolabella had beaten him in the contest for a place among the xv. viri (Cic. Fam. 8.4). In the year of his consulship, B. C. 49, the storm burst. Lentulus did all he could to excite his wavering party to take arms and meet Caesar: he called Cicero cowardly ; blamed him for seeking a triumph at such a time (ad Fam. 6.21, 16.11); urged war at any price, in the hope, says Caesar (Caes. Civ. 1.4), of retrieving his ruined fortunes, and becoming another Sulla; and Cicero seems to justify this accusation (ad Fam. 6.6, ad Att. 11.6). It was mainly at Lentulus' instigation that the violent measures passed the senate early in the year, which gave the tribunes a pretence for flying to Caesar at Ravenna (Caes. Civ. 1.5; Plut. Caes. 33). He himself fled from the city at the approach of Caesar; and Cicero saw him at Formiae in January 23rd, quite dispirited (ad Att. 7.12). On the 27th, at Capua, Lentulus with others agreed to accept Caesar's offers (Ib. 15). He was summoned by Cassius the tribune to return to Rome, to bring the money from the sacred treasury, but did not go (Ib. 21, comp. 8.11). Pompey had meantime collected forces in Apulia, and ordered the consuls to join him there, leaving a garrison in Capua (ad Att. 8.12 a--d.). While Pompey was retiring on Brundisium, Balbus the younger was sent by Caesar to persuade Lentulus to return to Rome, with offers of a province. The consul, instead, went with his colleague and some troops over to Illyria, though Cicero tried to detain him in Italy (ad Att. 8.9, 15, 9.6); and, soon after, we hear of his raising two legions for Pompey in Asia (Caes. Civ. 3.4). When both armies were encamped at Dyrrhachium, Balbus again attempted to seduce the consul, boldly entering Pompey's camp; but Lentulus asked too high a price (Vell. 2.51; comp. Cic. Fam. 10.32); and probably, like others of his party, thought Caesar's cause desperate (Caes. Civ. 3.82). After Pharsalia, he fled with Pompey; but was refused admittance at Rhodes (Caes. Civ. 3.102; Veil. Pat. 2.53.) With some others, he determined to make for Egypt, and arrived there the day after Pompey's murder. He saw the funeral pyre on Mt. Casius, but landed, was apprehended by young Ptolemy's ministers, and put to death in prison. (Caes. Civ. 3.104; V. Max. 1.8.9; Oros. 6.15; Plut. Pomp. 80.) Notwithstanding his prodigality and selfishness, Cicero always regarded him with some favour, in memory of the part he had taken against Clodius (Brut. 77, de Harusp. Resp. 17).