Decimus Laelius Balbus was a Roman senator, who was active during the reign of Augustus.
[1] Balbus was the grandson of Decimus Laelius, plebeian tribune in 54 BC, and thus a novus homo.
Balbus was one of the Quindecimviri sacris faciundis who organized the Secular Games in 17 BC.
[2] Ronald Syme notes his membership in this prestigious Roman priesthood led to Balbus entering the consulate twelve years later.
"That fact itself renders this novus homo not a little enigmatic," Syme writes, "but consecrates the value and significance of priesthoods as well as consulships.