Gaius Aurelius Cotta

Gaius Aurelius Cotta (c. 124 BC; † 74 or 73 BC) was a Roman politician and orator.

92 BC he defended his uncle Publius Rutilius Rufus, who was charged with extortion in Asia. He was a close friend of the tribune Marcus Livius Drusus, who was assassinated 91 BC, and in the same year, even a failed candidate for the tribunate. Shortly thereafter, he was persecuted under the lex Varia, which was directed against all who supported the Italian allies in the fight against Rome, and therefore went into exile.

82 Cotta returned to Rome. Maybe he fought in 80 BC as against Quintus Sertorius propraetor unsuccessful. He must have been later than 78 BC, praetor, as he was elected for the year 75 BC the consul. He brought a law, according to the tribunes of the people again were allowed to hold other offices, which had been forbidden them by Sulla, and concluded a treaty with the King of Numidia Hiempsal. After his consulship Cotta was 74 BC proconsul of the province of Cisalpine Gaul. He died at the end of this year or at the beginning of the following before he could celebrate a triumph.

Since one is not exactly known time until his death Cotta pontiff was; his successor in the college was Gaius Julius Caesar. His brothers Marcus and Lucius Aurelius Cotta were also consuls.

According to Cicero, Publius Sulpicius Rufus and Cotta were the best speakers among the young men of their time. In Cicero's dialogue De oratore (I 25ff. ) And De natura deorum (I 57-124; 10-93 III ) occurs Cotta as interlocutors on, in the latter as a representative of the New Academy.