Quintus Ligarius

Who is Quintus Ligarius?

Quintus Ligarius was a Roman soldier, c. 50 BC. He was accused of treason for having opposed Julius Caesar in a war in Africa, but was defended so eloquently by Cicero that he was pardoned and allowed to return to Rome. He later conspired with Brutus in the assassination of Julius Caesar. Quintus Ligarius was spared by Caesar during the civil war even though he was not allowed back into Italy. Ligarius remained devoted to the Pompeians but was depressed since he was exiled. Ligarius was aggravated when Caesar defeated Gnaius in Africa and became infuriated when Caesar spoke of him as a villain and enemy to Cicero. In order to forgive the Ligarius family, Caesar allowed Ligarius into Rome. Plutarch writes that he did not forgive Caesar for pardoning him. This hatred and his friendship with other Liberators caused him to join the assassination