The nomenTreboniusbelongs to a large class of gentilicia formed using the suffix ', originally applied to cognomina ending in ', but later used as a regular gentile-forming suffix, and applied in cases for which there was no morphological justification. These gentes were largely plebeian, and the form Terebonius strongly hints at an Oscan origin.
Branches and cognomina
The Trebonii of the Republic bore no hereditary surnames, but a few had personal cognomina, such as Asper, bestowed upon Lucius Trebonius, the plebeian tribune of 448 BC. Translating "rough, harsh, rude", or "annoying", this surname alluded to Trebonius' determined pursuit of reforms favouring the plebeians.
Members
Lucius Trebonius, surnamed Asper, as tribune of the plebs in 448 BC, carried a law, the lex Trebonia, requiring that the comitia should not be dismissed until the full complement of ten plebeian tribunes had been elected. Prior to this, vacancies were filled by co-optation, leaving the office open to political influence, which had resulted in two patricians being chosen as tribunes of the plebs in the previous year.
Gnaeus Trebonius, tribune of the plebs in 401 BC, opposed the co-optation of two of his colleagues, in violation of the lex Trebonia. Though unsuccessful in this regard, the plebeian tribunes of this year did pass an agrarian law.
Publius Trebonius, listed by Diodorus Siculus among the consular tribunes of 379 BC. His inclusion is doubtful, as he is not mentioned by Livy, who lists six consular tribunes, while Diodorus gives eight; there were no more than six in any other year.
Trebonius, a subordinate of Gaius Lusius, the nephew of Marius, during the Cimbric War. When his efforts at seduction failed, Lusius attempted to force himself on Trebonius, who slew him. On hearing Trebonius' defense, Marius acquitted him of his nephew's murder, and honoured him.
Aulus Trebonius, mentioned by Cicero among those whom Sulla had proscribed.
Publius Trebonius, made a will in favour of his brother, Aulus, who had been proscribed by Sulla, only to have the will set aside by Verres, the corrupt governor of Sicily.
Gaius Trebonius C. f., the consul and tyrannicide, as quaestor in 60 BC, opposed the adoption of Publius Clodius Pulcher by a plebeian. As tribune of the plebs in 55, he passed the lex Trebonia granting proconsular commands to Pompeius and Crassus, and extending Caesar's command in Gaul for another five years. He became a trusted lieutenant of Caesar, by whose favour he became consul suffectus in October of 45. He was one of the chief conspirators against Caesar in the following year, for which he was highly praised by Cicero. Trebonius was murdered by Publius Cornelius Dolabella in 43.
Trebonius, an obscure person whose adultery was mentioned by Horace.
Trebonius Garutianus or Garucianus, a procurator ordered by Galba to put Lucius Clodius Macer, the governor of Africa, to death. Macer had revolted against Nero with Galba's encouragement, but the extent to which he armed himself raised suspicion that Macer intended to lay claim to the empire.
