Trebatius Testa

Gaius Trebatius Testa (c. 84 BC – ?) was a jurist of ancient Rome,¹ whose family, and himself, originated from Elea.

Some twenty years younger than Cicero, Trebatius was both a familiar friend and a protégé of the latter.² 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".³ Trebatius enjoyed Caesar's favor, making his fortune alongside him in Gaul, and supporting him in the Civil War.⁴

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.⁵

A good-humoured man - Cicero wrote of sending him "badinage in your own style"⁶ - Trebatius was featured by Horace as a learned adviser in his Satires.⁷ As well as a fondness for wine, Trebatius also seemed to enjoy swimming as a hobby.⁸

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.⁹

An expert on sacral law,¹⁰ 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.