Lucius Cornelius Balbus (proconsul)

Lucius Cornelius Balbus, often referred to as Lucius Cornelius Balbus Minor, (not before 60 BC – after 13 BC), son of Publius Cornelius Balbus, was a Roman politician and General. Similarly to his uncle Balbus the Elder, Balbus Minor was also born in Gades with Punic origins, and became a distinguished member of the gens Cornelia through adoption. Despite his Phoenician ancestry, Balbus rendered valuable services to the early Roman Empire, most notably by serving as the proconsul of Africa in 21 BC and leading an expedition to sub-Saharan Africa. He was also known to be a close friend and trusted associate of Julius Caesar.