Aulus Gabinius

Aulus Gabinius was a political ally of Pompey who served as consul in 58 BCE and later governed Syria. He intervened in Judaean affairs and, without formal senatorial approval, invaded Egypt in 55 BCE to restore Ptolemy XII Auletes. The expedition created the Gabiniani, Roman troops who remained in Egyptian service.

In Caesar’s Soldier, Gabinius commands the eastern campaigns through which the young Mark Antony learns cavalry warfare and political patronage. His expedition links Antony’s early career to Pompeian influence, Judaea and the Ptolemaic court before Antony joins Julius Caesar in Gaul.

Alex Gough’s Caesar’s Soldier places Aulus Gabinius at the beginning of Mark Antony’s military education. After a reckless youth in Rome, Antony enters service under Gabinius and learns cavalry command during campaigns in Judaea and the expedition that restores Ptolemy XII to the Egyptian throne. Gabinius therefore functions as both commander and political patron, linking Antony to Pompeian influence and the eastern Mediterranean before the younger soldier transfers his allegiance and experience to Julius Caesar in Gaul.