The Trial of Trebonius refers to the military trial of the Roman soldier Trebonius for the killing of Gaius Lusius, his superior officer and nephew of the Roman General and Consul Gaius Marius. The trial serves to show Marius’ impartiality when dealing out justice that made him popular among his soldiers as well as the common Roman citizen. Valerius Maximus calls Trebonius Gaius Plotius.

Because Plutarch says that this even contributed to Marius' third election as consul, this most likely takes place in 104 BC. This event does not refer to Gaius Trebonius, one of the allies and later assassins of Julius Caesar. Gaius Lusius was the son of the sister of Gaius Marius, and had been given the position of a commissioned officer during the Cimbrian War between Rome and the Proto-Germanic tribe of the Cimbri.

Plutarch describes Lusius as a man who had homosexual feelings for a young soldier under his command, but was not generally a bad man. Cicero describes the Trial of Trebonius (although not by name) and describes Trebonius as “the virtuous youth.” Valerius Maximus and Cicero both say that Lusius was a military tribune. Marian reforms to the military had lessened the power and number of military tribunes.

Despite this, he attempted to use his position to seduce Trebonius, who had so far not cooperated with his advances. Lusius summoned Trebonius to his tent and attempted to rape the young soldier. Trebonius had no choice but to go to the tent, because he could not disobey the summons of his commander.

Inside the tent, Trebonius killed Lusius with his sword. Gaius Lusius’ uncle, Gaius Marius, returned and had Trebonius to be brought to trial. Plutarch describes there being many accusers against Trebonius, but no one to defend him.

Cicero and Maximus’ claims that Lusius was a tribune could account for this, in that as a tribune he would have probably held political power during life, and others may have been afraid of a similar fate if Trebonius was not suitably punished. Trebonius took up his own cause and defended himself before the trial. He provided examples of Lusius’ unceremonious behavior, and offered up witnesses to testify about Lusius’ acts.

Lusius had often made generous offers towards Trebonius and had often made advances on him, but Trebonius had never given into his seductions. Marius was impressed with both the courage of Trebonius’ defense of his self at trial, as well as his unwavering denial of Lusius’ attempts to seduce and bribe him. He ordered the laurel which symbolized the prize for valor to be placed on the head of Trebonius.

Marius declared Trebonius’ deeds as noble and that he was an example to show other Romans how to behave. Both Cicero and Valerius Maximus agree that it was Gaius Lusius’ advances towards Trebonius/Plotius that had earned him his death. The prize for valor was a physical symbol showing that Trebonius should be respected and heralded for his incorruptibility and his determination.

That Marius "took it and with his own hands placed it on Trebonius' head" shows his desire to be associated with such qualities. The results of the trial spread quickly, and helped Marius gain popularity and helped him achieve his third consulship of Rome.

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