Titus Pullo

Born: mid-1st century BC (perhaps around 85–75 BC)

Known for: His rivalry and heroic combat with Lucius Vorenus became one of the most vivid personal anecdotes recorded in Caesar’s military writings, illustrating the valor of Roman legionaries.

Died: Unknown date

Age: Unknown

Allegiance: Roman Republic; Legions of Julius Caesar

Conflicts: Gallic Wars (58–50 BCE) — particularly the campaign against the Nervii

Cause of Death: Unknown

Resting Place: There are no records or archaeological evidence indicating where he was buried.

Spouses: Nothing is known about his personal or family life, so whether he married or had children is entirely unknown.

Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo were two Roman centurions mentioned in the personal writings of Julius Caesar. Although it is sometimes stated they were members of the 11th Legion (Legio XI Claudia), Caesar never states the number of the legion concerned, giving only the words in ea legione ("in that legion"). All that is known is that the legion in which they served under Caesar was one commanded at the time by Quintus Cicero.

Vorenus and Pullo appear in Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico, Book 5, Chapter 44. The episode describes the two as centurions, approaching the first ranks, who shared a bitter personal rivalry, and takes place in 54 BC when the Nervii attacked the legion under Quintus Cicero in their winter quarters in Nervian territory.

In an effort to outdo Vorenus, Pullo charged out of the fortified camp and attacked the enemy. Pullo cast his javelin into one of the enemies from a short distance, but his belt was simultaneously pierced by a spear, preventing him from drawing his sword, and he was surrounded by other Nervii. Just then, Vorenus, following Pullo from the fortifications, reached the site of the mêlée and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. After slaying one of the enemy and driving back the rest, Vorenus lost his footing on the irregular terrain. As the Nervii drew closer to him, Pullo came to his aid. After slaying many of their opponents, the two retreated to the fortifications amidst roaring applause from their comrades, or "covered with glory" as described by Caesar.

Vorenus then disappears from history. However, it is known that in the Civil War of 49 BC Pullo was assigned to the XXI Victrix Rapax, a new Italian legion commanded by the legate Gaius Antonius. In 48 BC, Antonius was blockaded on an island and forced to surrender; Pullo was apparently responsible for most of his soldiers switching sides to fight for Pompey. Later that year, he is recorded bravely defending Pompey's camp in Greece from Caesar's attack shortly before the Battle of Pharsalus.