Rutilius Rufus the Historian (Ῥούφιος ὁ Ῥουτίλιος)

Life Publius Rutilius Rufus (c. 158 – after 78 BCE) was a Roman statesman, orator, and historian. His distinguished career included the consulship in 105 BCE and service as a legate in Asia, where his anti-corruption reforms provoked the equestrian order [1][2]. Prosecuted and convicted for extortion in a politically motivated trial in 92 BCE, he chose exile in Smyrna [1][2]. There, he wrote his historical work and lived to see the law under which he was convicted repealed [1].

Works His only known work is the Historiae (or De Re Publica), a history of Rome in at least five books composed in Greek during his exile. The work is now lost, surviving only in fragments cited by later authors [1][2][3].

Significance Rutilius Rufus is significant as a Roman statesman who wrote history in Greek, following an earlier tradition [1]. His work served as a source for historians like Sallust and Plutarch [1][3]. His unjust trial and Stoic integrity, shaped by his friendship with the philosopher Panaetius, made him a celebrated exemplum of principled conduct for Cicero and later writers [1][2].

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Publius-Rutilius-Rufus 2. Perseus Digital Library, Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Drutilius-rufus-p-bio-1 3. ToposText: https://topostext.org/people/1430