Consul in 43 B.C. and a highly successful general whose victories in the Parthian War were not overshadowed even by Marc Antony. Ventidius came from a common lineage and was subjected to cruel jokes about his origins; he had to live down the reputation of having been a muleteer, probably as a supplier to the legions. In time, he became a supporter of Julius Caesar, who was not afraid of using talented but undistinguished soldiers. Through Caesar, he entered the senate.

After Caesar’s assassination in 44 b.c, Ventidius held a praetorship and a consulship in 43, replacing Octavian (Augustus) later that year in the second office. He levied three legions in preparation for the coming war, aiding Antony after the battle of Mutina in 43 and later participating in the Perusine War. Promoted to proconsul, Ventidius was dispatched to the East in 39 to deal with the Parthian invasion of Syria and Palestine. In 39, the general defeat of Quintus Labienus (an ally of Cassius) and his Parthian army, along with the destruction of the Parthian Prince Pacorus, brought him fame. Ventidius killed Pacorus in battle and evicted the enemy from Roman territory. Antony soon replaced him (perhaps out of jealousy or on the suspicion of corruption), and Ventidius returned to Rome to a triumph. He died soon after and was given a lavish public funeral.