Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus was a Roman politician and general who was one of two Consuls of the Republic in 72 BC along with Lucius Gellius Publicola . Closely linked to the family of Pompey , he is noted for being one of the consular generals who led Roman legion s against the slave armies of Spartacus in the Third Servile War . Biography . Although born into the plebeian Claudii Marcelli family , Clodianus was adopted into the patrician Cornelii Lentuli , possibly as the adoptive son of Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus . A partisan of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus , he possibly served under Pompey during Pompey ’ s special commission in Hispania . Elected Praetor around 75 BC , his connections with Pompey ensured that he was elected consul in 72 BC . Clodianus soon was involved in protecting Pompey ’ s interests , pushing a bill to validate grants of citizenship by Pompey in Hispania . He and his colleague also ensured that no Roman citizen in the provinces could be tried in absentia on a capital charge – an attempt to restrict the ravages of Gaius Verres in Sicily . Finally , Clodianus proposed a bill for recovering payment , which Lucius Cornelius Sulla had remitted , from those who had bought the confiscated property of those who suffered under the Sullan proscriptions . However , the major event of his consulship was the revolt of Spartacus and the eruption of the Third Servile War . Having won a number of victories against ill - prepared Roman forces , the Senate now recognised Spartacus as a serious threat and sent both the consuls to confront the slave armies at the head of four legions . Clodianus moved to block Spartacus ’ s march northward , while his colleague Publicola moved in behind , hoping to catch the rebels between the two armies . However , Spartacus ’ s slave army destroyed Clodianus ' legions in the Apennine Mountains ( near modern Pistoia ) in the valley named Lentula , and then turned and defeated the oncoming legions of Publicola . Gathering their shattered forces , both consuls gave chase but were once again defeated at a battle near Picenum . Humiliated by these defeats , shortly afterward , in early autumn , Clodianus and Publicola were withdrawn as commanders , by the Roman senate , and command of the war given to Marcus Licinius Crassus . This setback to Clodianus ’ s career was only temporary ; with the support of Pompey , both Clodianus and Publicola were appointed censor in 70 BC . They began a systematic purge of the senate , removing some sixty - four senators , among them a number of individuals connected to the trial of Oppianicus , as well as some important individuals such as Gaius Antonius Hybrida and Publius Cornelius Lentulus Sura . However , the majority of those expelled were acquitted by the courts and restored to their former position . They also identified 910 , 000 citizens and possibly named Mamercus Aemilius Lepidus Livianus as Princeps Senatus . By 67 BC , Clodianus was serving as a legate with praetorian imperium under Pompey , who had received an extraordinary command to rid the Mediterranean Sea of pirates . Clodianus was given command of the east coast of Italy , with his fleet patrolling the coast of the Adriatic Sea . By 66 BC he was back in Rome , where he gave his support to the Lex Manilia , which gave Pompey command of the war against King Mithridates VI of Pontus . Although Clodianus was a noted orator , it was said that he hid his lack of talent through showmanship and the possession of a good voice .