
Publius Varinius (118 BC-) was a Roman politician and general who served as praetor in 73 BC and proconsul in 72 BC.
Biography[]
Publius Varinius was born in 118 BC, and he was rivals with Gaius Claudius Glaber during the competitive nature of Roman politics. During the Third Servile War, Varinius served as praetor in 73 BC and proconsul in 72 BC, and, after Glaber's defeat at the Battle of Mount Vesuvius, Varinius was sent to subdue Spartacus. He divided his army into two forces commanded by his legates, who were overwhelmed and defeated piecemeal by the slave rebels. Varinius' reputation survived the war, and he served as Governor of Roman Asia in 65 BC.