GABINIUS, AULUS, Roman statesman and general, and supporter of Pompey. In 67 B.C., when tribune of the people, he brought forward the Lex Gabinia, conferring upon Pompey the command in the war against the Mediterranean pirates, with absolute control over that sea and the coasts for 5om. inland. By other measures of Gabinius loans of money to foreign ambassadors in Rome were made non-actionable (as a check on the corruption of the senate) and the senate was ordered to give audience to foreign envoys on certain fixed days (1st of Feb.--1 st of March) . In 58 he was elected consul, not without suspicion of bribery. During his term of office he helped Clodius to send Cicero into exile. In 57 Gabinius went as proconsul to Syria. On his arrival he reinstated Hyrcanus in the high-priesthood at Jerusalem, sup pressed revolts, introduced important changes in the government of Judaea, and rebuilt several towns. During his absence in Egypt, whither he had been sent by Pompey, without the consent of the senate, to restore Ptolemy Auletes to his kingdom, Syria was devastated by robbers, and an insurrection had arisen against Hyrcanus. With some difficulty Gabinius restored order, and in 54 handed over the province to his successor, M. Licinius Crassus. The tax-farming interests, which had suffered from the disorders, had him impeached on his return. Gabinius went into exile, and his property was confiscated. After the outbreak of the civil war, he was recalled by Caesar in 49, and entered his service, but took no active part against Pompey. He died on service in Dalmatia against M. Octavius in 48 or early 47.
