Publius Cornelius Dolabella (consul 10)

Publius Cornelius Dolabella
Consul of the Roman Republic
In office January 10 AD – June 10 AD Serving with Gaius Junius Silanus
Preceded by	Marcus Papius Mutilus with Quintus Poppaeus Secundus
Succeeded by	Servius Cornelius Lentulus Maluginensis with Quintus Junius Blaesus
Personal details
Born	Unknown
Died	Unknown
Spouse	Sulpicia Galbilla
Children	Publius Cornelius Dolabella
Military service
Allegiance	Roman Empire
Commands	Governor of Dalmatia Proconsular Governor of Africa
Battles/wars	Defeat of Tacfarinas

Publius Cornelius Dolabella (fl. c.10–c.28 AD) was a Roman senator active during the Principate. He was consul in AD 10 with Gaius Junius Silanus as his colleague.^[1] Dolabella is known for having reconstructed the Arch of Dolabella (perhaps formerly the Porta Caelimontana) in Rome in AD 10, together with his co-consul Junius Silanus. Later, Nero used it for his aqueduct to the Caelian Hill.^[2]

In 24 he was appointed proconsul of the province of Africa (modern Tunisia), supposedly pacified after ten years of insurgency. This turned out to be far from the case and Dolabella was pressed hard. Despite only having half the number of soldiers of his predecessor Dolabella conceived an effective strategy. He eventually forced the insurgents to battle, slew their leader, Tacfarinas, and brought the conflict to a conclusion. He then initiated the conversion of the Tunisian grasslands to arable fields, which were to be the breadbasket of Rome for centuries to come.