Gaius Trebatius Testa ( 84 BC – ?) was a jurist of ancient Rome,J Davie trans., Horace: Satires and Epistles (OUP 2011) p. 144 whose family, and himself, originated from Elea.
Friendship with Cicero and the Caesars
Some twenty years younger than Cicero, Trebatius was both a familiar friend and a protégé of the latter.D R Shackleton Bailey trans., Cicero's Letters to his Friends (Atlanta 1988) p. xii and p. 828 Cicero dedicated his Topica to Trebatius, and recommended Trebatius as a legal advisor to Julius Caesar, calling him a thorough gentleman and a "leading light in civil law".D R Shackleton Bailey trans., Cicero's Letters to his Friends (Atlanta 1988) p. 73 ad fam. vii.5 Trebatius enjoyed Caesar's favor, making his fortune alongside him in Gaul, and supporting him in the Civil War.D R Shackleton Bailey trans., Cicero's Letters to his Friends (Atlanta 1988) p. 85 and p. 828
Later he also worked closely with Augustus, and was subsequently described in the Institutes of Justinian as being of the greatest authority for Augustan law. A Bauman, Lawyers in Roman Transitional Politics (1985) p.124 (Inst. 2.25 pr.)
Character A good-humoured man - Cicero wrote of sending him "badinage in your own style"D R Shackleton Bailey trans., Cicero's Letters to his Friends (Atlanta 1988) p. 89 ad fam. vii.14 - Trebatius was featured by Horace as a learned adviser in his Satires.A Palmer ed., The Satires of Horace (London 1920) p. 242 As well as a fondness for wine, Trebatius also seemed to enjoy swimming as a hobby.A Palmer ed., The Satires of Horace (London 1920) p. 243
Legal career and influence
A pupil of Cornelius Maximus, Trebatius played a key part in the transfer of legal authority from the senate to individual jurisconsults under the Principate. A Bauman, Lawyers in Roman Transitional Politics (1985) p. 2
An expert on sacral law, A Bauman, Lawyers in Roman Transitional Politics (1985) p.123 Trebatius' writings included a de religionibus and de iure civili, but not even excerpts of these survive. He was, however, frequently cited by later jurists, and also had a high reputation as the teacher of Marcus Antistius Labeo.
See also Aulus Ofilius Gaius Matius - friend of Cicero/Trebatius Servius Sulpicius Rufus - legal rival
References