person

Publius Ventidius Bassus

Ventidius

also: Ventidius, Ventidio, P. Ventidius

Publius Ventidius Bassus, a general of low birth who rose through Julius Caesar's campaigns; in 43 BC he commanded Antonian forces and was declared a public enemy by the Senate, but later achieved renown defeating the Parthians (38 BC) and served as suffect consul.

Reading notes

Ad M. Brutum 1.5 §1 Ventidius
Publius Ventidius Bassus, a capable general and partisan of Mark Antony, declared a public enemy by the Senate in 43 BC; the motion of Servilius proposed that Brutus pursue him as well as Dolabella.
Ad Familiares 10.17 §1 Ventidius is two days' march behind him
P. Ventidius Bassus, a Caesarian general of humble origins (Plancus later sneers at him as a muleteer, Fam. 10.18.3), was bringing three legions to reinforce Antony after the defeat at Mutina.
Ad Familiares 10.18 §3 the muleteer Ventidius's camp
A sneer at P. Ventidius Bassus's low birth: tradition held he had begun life driving mules and supplying transport for armies. He nonetheless brought three legions to Antony and later, ironically, won Rome's great victories over the Parthians.