Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Bent, James" to "Bibirine" by Various
1. LUCIUS CALPURNIUS BESTIA, Roman tribune of the people in 121 B.C.,
183 words | Chapter 44
consul in 111. Having been appointed to the command of the operations
against Jugurtha, he at first carried on the campaign energetically, but
soon, having been heavily bribed, concluded a disgraceful peace. On his
return to Rome he was brought to trial for his conduct and condemned, in
spite of the efforts of Marcus Scaurus who, though formerly his legate
and equally guilty, was one of the judges. He is probably identical with
the Bestia who encouraged the Italians in their revolt, and went into
exile (90) to avoid punishment under the law of Q. Varius, whereby those
who had secretly or openly aided the Italian allies against Rome were to
be brought to trial (Appian, _Bell. Civ._ i. 37; Val. Max. viii. 6. 4).
Both Cicero and Sallust express a high opinion of Bestia's abilities,
but his love of money demoralized him. He is mentioned in a Carthaginian
inscription as one of a board of three, perhaps an agricultural
commission.
See Sallust, _Jugurtha_; Cicero, _Brutus_, xxxiv. 128; for the general
history, A.H.J. Greenidge, _Hist. of Rome_, vol. i. (1904), pp. 346
foll.
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