Lentulus, Publius Cornelius (c. 112–63 BC)

Roman politician. He was praetor in 74 BC and consul three years later. He was expelled from the Senate in 70 BC, with 63 others, because of his alleged lifestyle.

Following his expulsion from the Senate, Lentulus set about rehabilitating himself, and was once again praetor in 63 BC. He became closely involved with Catiline, and when Catiline departed for Etruria, Lentulus was left as leader of the home conspirators, and his irresolution probably saved the city from being burned. He was arrested, dismissed from office, sentenced to death, and strangled in the Capitoline prison.

Lentulus, Publius Cornelius (c. 100–48 BC)

Roman politician. He was successively curule, aedile, praetor, and consul during the period 63–57 BC. During his consulship he promoted the recall of the exiled orator Cicero, and in 56 BC went out to govern Cilicia as his province. On the outbreak of the civil war in 49 BC he supported Pompey, and was executed after Pharsalus in 48 BC.