Gaius Scribonius Curio (consul 76 BC)

Gaius Scribonius Curio (flourished in 1st Century BC) Roman Statesman and orator. Nicknamed Burbulieus (after an actor) for the way, he moved his body while speaking. Friend of Cicero and supporter of his, during the Catiline Conspiracy. Curio was the namesake of his father. His father was a distinguished orator.

Curio was tribune in 90BC; he served later under Sulla in Greece and became in legate in Asia, to restore the abandon kingdoms of Mithradates. After his consulship in 76BC, he became the Macedonian Governor. He was the first Roman General to penetrate in the Danube, which he won a military triumph.

He became an opponent to Julius Caesar and wrote against him a political dialogue. Curio was considerable as an orator and was pure of his Latin Language. Curio was pontifex maximus in 57BC and died in 53BC.

Gaius or Quintus Scribonius Curio (90BC-49BC) son to the above. His mother’s name is unknown. Friend to Pompey the Great, Caesar, Mark Antony and Cicero. Curio built Rome’s first amphitheatre in his father’s memory and celebrated games there. About 52BC, he married Fulvia a granddaughter of Gaius Gracchus. He had a stepdaughter Clodia Pulchra, but no natural children.

After his term of being tribune in 50BC, he became a supporter of Caesar. In term of his support, Caesar paid off his debt. According to Tacitus, Caesar bribed him for his oratory. He was known as a distinguished orator.

Before the Civil War, Curio was one of the last politicians to call on Pompey and Caesar to make peace. Although he had support from the consuls and the plebeians, he received a very hostile reception from senators.

Curio was praetor in 49BC. After fighting under Caesar, he sent him to Africa to stop King Juba (a supporter of Pompey). Curio was slain and defeated by him and his army.

Curio is his character was very conspicuous and profligate. Despite his faults Cicero assisted in everyway and evidently wrote several letters to him.