charges against Marcus Piso were dismissed by Tiberius. Reputation Plancus has a negative reputation in both ancient texts and modern scholarship. Cicero, writing a letter in late 44 BC told him that he was "too much as the service of the times". The specific meaning of Cicero's words are debated; Mitchell argues that the times in that sentence refers to Caesar's dominatio over the state rather than a generalised lack of principle. The history of Velleius Paterculus was very hostile to Plancus. He blamed Plancus for his brother's death and paints his defection from Antony in 32 BC in terms being a pathological traitor with no political principles. He also painted Plancus as a fawning flatterer of Cleopatra, as greedy, and as furthering Antony's poor judgement. For his triumph over the Gauls in 43 BC. the soldiers coined a pun on him alluding that he did not celebrate over the Gauls but over his brother. Velleius' account may be derived from Gaius Asinius Pollio's speeches; criticism of Plancus is usually coupled with praise with Pollio. Ronald Syme, in Roman Revolution memorably savaged him: "A nice calculation of his own interests and an assiduous care for his own safety carried him through well-timed treacheries to a peaceful old age". While more recent scholarship has perhaps softened slightly, Plancus' career is still largely seen in terms of flexibly adapting to prevailing circumstances out of self-interest. References Citations Sources External links 80s BC births 10s BC deaths 1st-century BC Roman governors of Syria People from Tivoli, Lazio Plancus, Lucius 1st-century BC Roman consuls Correspondents of Cicero