Publius Varinius (110 - 73 BC) was a Roman politician and general who served as praetor in 73 BC and proconsul in 72 BC. He was the rival of Gaius Claudius Glaber in the competitive arena of Roman politics.
Biography[]
Assignment in Rome[]
In Rome, in 72 BC, Varinius accompanied Senator Albinius in assigning Gaius Claudius Glaber the task of hunting down and destroying Spartacus and his rebels. He informed Glaber that a unit had recently been routed by Spartacus, noting one fallen soldier bore his name carved into his chest. Varinius pressed Glaber for results, spoke with Cossutius, and told Albinius that his daughter offered apologies for his absence, quietly angering Glaber. He then left Albinius and Glaber to speak privately. Varinius secretly supported the Capuan noble Seppius, aiding him in pursuing Spartacus to advance his own ambitions.
Capua Games[]
Varinius later traveled to Capua to host games aimed at boosting citizen morale. He addressed the crowd, who favored him, and presented Glaber's troops at Albinius' request. However, Glaber had sent the troops with his slave Ashur, and a tribune, angering the crowd. Glaber announced their mission to capture Spartacus, humiliating Varinius while gaining public favour.
Feast at the Ludus[]
The nobility returned to Lentulus Batiatus' Ludus, now Glaber's garrison. Albinius scolded Glaber for insulting Varinius, but Glaber justified it with his capture of some rebels. To ease tensions, Ilithyia Albinia proposed a feast for Varinius, who accepted and observed her favour toward him over Glaber.
When Glaber presented four captured rebels for execution as a tribute to Varinius, he declined to kill them personally, stating their deaths were for the people of Capua. This gained him public favour and subtly humiliated Glaber. Amid the crowd's unrest, Lucretia chose Acer to be executed. Varinius attempted to help Seppia intervene, but Ilithyia killed Acer herself, impressing the nobles and Varinius.
Affair with Ilithyia[]
Varinius became attracted to the confident Ilithyia, who promised to convince her father to dissolve her marriage to Glaber. Initially, Albinius refused, but later consented after Lucretia slept with him. As Varinius, Ilithyia, and Albinius conspired, Glaber discovered Ilithyia's plans and confronted her. She declared their marriage loveless, leaving Varinius sidelined as he returned to Rome.
Arena and Rebellion[]
Varinius attended the final games in the arena, watching Crixus, Rhaskos, and Oenomaus fight, and received praise from nobles while Glaber was insulted. The event ended prematurely when Spartacus and his rebels set the arena ablaze, rescuing allies. Albinius became trapped under debris and was killed by Glaber. Varinius witnessed the chaos and, realising he could do nothing for Ilithyia, departed to Rome.
Return to Capua and Death[]
Varinius returned to Capua after receiving a desperate letter from Seppia, claiming Glaber had killed her brother and taken Ilithyia. He tried to convince Glaber to retreat, but Glaber refused. Varinius learned Spartacus' hideout and led a Roman force to Mount Vesuvius. Despite outnumbering the rebels, his troops were defeated at the Battle of Mount Vesuvius. Varinius was attacked by Spartacus and Gannicus, captured, and forced to watch his men slaughtered.
As Crixus attempted to kill Varinius, a flaming fireball from Glaber's catapult struck, setting Varinius ablaze. He fell from his horse, landing on the stairs, and died with half his face burned.
Another Publius Varinius, a member of his gens, would serve as Governor of Roman Asia in 65 BC.
Gallery[]
