Ventĭdius Bassus

, a native of Picenum, born of an obscure family. When Asculum was taken, he was carried before the triumphant chariot of Pompeius Strabo, hanging on his mother’s breast. A bold, aspiring soul, aided by the patronage of the family of Cæsar, raised him from the mean occupation of a chairman and muleteer to dignity in the state. He displayed valour in the Roman armies, and gradually arose to the offices of tribune, pretor, high priest, and consul. He made war against the Parthians, and conquered them in three great battles, B.C. 39. He was the first Roman ever honoured with a triumph over Parthia. He died greatly lamented by all the Roman people, and was buried at the public expense. Plutarch , Antonius .— Juvenal , satire 7, li. 199 .――Cumanus, governor of Palestine, . Tacitus , Annals , bk. 13 , ch. 54 .――Two brothers in the age of Pompey, who favoured Carbo’s interest, . Plutarch.