Servius Sulpicius Rufus

Servius Sulpicius Rufus (born c. 106 bc—died 43) was a Roman jurist who wrote nearly 180 treatises on law. While none of them are extant, many are referred to in the works of other authors that are excerpted in the Digest of Justinian I.

After studying rhetoric with Cicero and deciding that he could not become an outstanding orator, Sulpicius turned to the law. In 63 he was a candidate for the consulship, but was defeated by Lucius Licinius Murena, whom he subsequently accused of bribery. Murena was successfully defended in the suit by Cicero. Sulpicius became consul in 51. During the Civil War between Julius Caesar and Pompey’s faction (49–46), he decided after considerable hesitation to support Caesar, who made him proconsul of Achaea in 46. He died while on a mission from the Senate to Mark Antony.

Of two letters from Sulpicius to Cicero that are preserved (Cicero, Ad familiares, iv, 5 and 12), the former is the famous letter of consolation on the death of the great orator’s daughter Tullia.