 The senate appointed him to succeed Caesar as governor of the province of further Gaul, and on the march of Caesar into Italy in 49, he was the only one of the aristocratic party who showed any energy or courage.He threw himself into Corfinium with about thirty cohorts, expecting to be supported by Pompey; but as the latter did nothing to assist him, his own troops compelled him to surrender to Caesar.Despairing of life, he ordered his doctor to give to him poison, but the latter gave him only a sleeping draught.