person

Gaius Popilius Laenas

C. Popilius

also: C. Popilius, Gaius Popilius, Popilius

Consul of 172 BC, famous as the envoy who in 168 BC drew a circle in the sand around Antiochus IV at Eleusis near Alexandria and demanded an answer before he stepped out of it. Cicero cites his firmness as a model of senatorial dignity in dealing with foreign powers.

Reading notes

Eighth Philippic §23 Gaius Popilius
C. Popilius Laenas, the envoy who in 168 BC drew a circle in the sand around Antiochus IV near Alexandria and refused to let him leave it until he answered the senate. Cicero holds him up as a model of senatorial firmness toward those who flout the senate's authority.

Mentioned in 9 works (20 mentions)

Against Verres, Second Hearing, Book IV speech · 2 mentions

Against Verres, First Hearing speech · 1 mention

§39 Gaius Popilius

For Aulus Cluentius speech · 5 mentions

On His House speech · 2 mentions

On His Return: To the Citizens speech · 3 mentions

On His Return: To the Senate speech · 2 mentions

Brutus rhet · 3 mentions

Ad Atticum 13.32 letter · 1 mention

§3 Popilius

Eighth Philippic speech · 1 mention

§23 Gaius Popilius