Publius Ventidius facts for kids

Publius Ventidius (fl. 89–38 BC) was a Roman general. He was a close supporter of Julius Caesar. Ventidius won important battles against the Parthians. These victories helped Rome get revenge for earlier losses. They also prepared the way for Mark Antony's later actions. According to a famous ancient writer named Plutarch, Ventidius was the only Roman general to receive a special parade, called a Roman triumph, for beating the Parthians.

Early Life and Rise to Power

How Ventidius Became a General

Publius Ventidius came from a place called Picenum. When he was young, he and his mother were captured during a war. They were forced to march as prisoners in a victory parade through the streets of Rome.

Ventidius then worked with mules. He soon realized that joining the Roman army was his best chance to improve his life.

Working with Julius Caesar

Ventidius caught the eye of Julius Caesar during the Gallic Wars. Even though Caesar did not mention him in his writings, Ventidius followed Caesar's orders well. He became one of Caesar's favorite officers during Caesar's civil war.

Ventidius and Mark Antony

Choosing Sides in Roman Politics

After Caesar's death, Ventidius did not immediately pick a side. He waited to see how things would go between Mark Antony and Octavian. Eventually, he decided to support Antony.

Later, when Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate, Ventidius became a temporary consul. A consul was a very high-ranking official in Rome.

Ventidius's Loyalty to Antony

In 41 BC, Antony was away in Egypt. During this time, Antony's brother and wife were fighting with Octavian. Ventidius chose not to get involved in their conflict.

Great Victories Against the Parthians

Stopping the Parthian Invasion

Around 39 BC, Antony sent Ventidius with several Roman armies. Their mission was to stop a Parthian invasion that had started in 40 BC.

Ventidius had his first big success when he defeated a Parthian general named Phranipates. He won battles at the Cilician Gates and the Amanus Pass. When Antony heard about these wins, he celebrated publicly.

The Battle of Mount Gindarus

Despite these losses, the Parthians launched another attack into Syria. This time, their army was led by Pacorus, the son of the Parthian king.

Ventidius met Pacorus's large army at the Battle of Cyrrhestica. Ventidius won a huge victory, and Pacorus was killed. This battle was the most important of Ventidius's campaigns. It pushed the Parthians back into their own lands.

This victory also helped Rome feel better about earlier defeats, especially the one at Carrhae. Ventidius could have chased the Parthians even further. However, he worried that Antony might get jealous of his success. So, he decided to focus on bringing rebellious groups back under Roman control.

The Siege of Samosata

One of these rebellious leaders was Antiochus of Commagene. Ventidius surrounded Antiochus's city, Samosata. Antiochus tried to make peace with Ventidius. But Ventidius told him to talk directly to Antony.

Antony wanted some of the glory for himself. So, he took over the siege. However, Antony's siege was not as effective as Ventidius's. In the end, Antony made a peace deal with Antiochus. The original deal Antiochus offered Ventidius included a payment of 1,000 talents. But the final deal with Antony was for only 300 talents.

Return to Rome and Triumph

After making peace, Antony sent Ventidius back to Rome. There, Ventidius celebrated a Roman triumph. This was a huge parade to honor his victories. He was the first Roman general to have a triumph for defeating the Parthians. After his triumph, Ventidius is not mentioned in history again.

In Literature

Ventidius in Shakespeare's Play

Ventidius appears briefly in Shakespeare's play Antony and Cleopatra. In the play, he leads the Roman forces against Parthia. He thinks about whether he should push his victories further, fearing that it might make his commander, Antony, jealous. After this scene, he leaves the play.