(Lucius), a Roman of a noble family, who having spent his whole fortune in debauchery, formed the design of oppressing his country, destroying the senate, seizing the public treasury, setting Rome on fire, and usurping a sovereign power over his fellow-citizens. In order to succeed in this design, he drew some young noblemen into his plot; whom he prevailed upon, it is said, to drink human blood as a pledge of their union. His conspiracy, however, was discovered by the vigilance of Cicero, who was then consul. Upon which, retiring from Rome, he put himself at the head of an army, with several of the conspirators, and fought with incredible valour against Petreius, lieutenant to Anthony, who was colleague with Cicero in the consulship; but was defeated and killed in battle. See History of Rome.—Sallust has given an excellent history of this conspiracy.