Gaius Caninius Rebilus

Who is Gaius Caninius Rebilus?

Gaius Caninius Rebilus, a member of the plebeian gens Caninia, was a Roman general and politician. As a reward for devoted service, Julius Caesar appointed him consul suffectus in 45 BC.

Rebilus, a Novus homo of the late republic, served with Julius Caesar throughout the Gallic Wars and the Civil Wars. He was Military tribune in Gaul in 52 BC, before becoming one of Caesar's legates in 51 BC. During the later stages of the Gallic War he commanded two legions on the southern slope of the heights during the siege of Alesia, where Caesar's defences were weakest. With great difficulty, and the timely support of Titus Labienus, he withstood the last major attack on the Roman position there on October 2, 52 BC. The following year he was sent to pursue Cadurci leader Lucterius, who fled to the stronghold of Uxellodunum which Rebilus proceeded to besiege. Attempting to emulate the tactics at Alesia, he was forced to deal with repeated sorties which disrupted his attempts to complete his lines. Eventually Caesar made his way there to take overall command of the siege.

Upon the outbreak of the civil war, Rebilus accompanied him in his march into Italy and he was sent by Caesar to Brundisium as an unsuccessful negotiator to Pompey. In 49 BC he was sent by Caesar as a legate under Gaius Scribonius Curio in the hope that Rebilus would compensate for Curio's lack of military experience. He pushed Curio to take advantage of a break in the enemy lines to achieve victory at the Battle of Utica, and after the latter's defeat and death, he was one of the few who escaped from Africa Province. In the following year, it is assumed that he was made Praetor.