Gaius Cassius Longinus (consul 73 BC)

Gaius Cassius Longinus was a Roman politician and general who served as consul in 73 BC. He belonged to the Cassii Longini, a prominent plebeian family in the Roman Republic.

Very little is known with certainty about Longinus's early life and career before his consulship. He achieved the praetorship, likely a few years before his consulship, although the exact date is not recorded.

In 73 BC, Cassius Longinus served as one of the two consuls, alongside Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus. During their consulship, the Third Servile War, also known as the Spartacus Revolt, began. While Lucullus was engaged in military operations elsewhere, Longinus was tasked with confronting Spartacus and his growing army of escaped slaves and gladiators in Italy.

Longinus marched against Spartacus with a significant force. However, he suffered a serious defeat at the hands of the rebel army near Mutina (modern Modena). Spartacus outmaneuvered him, inflicting heavy losses on the Roman troops and forcing Longinus to retreat.

Following this defeat, Longinus's activities are not well-documented. He likely remained involved in Roman politics to some degree, but details are scarce. The events surrounding his later life and the date of his death are unknown. His role in the early stages of suppressing the Spartacus revolt, however, marks his place in Roman history.