Scaurus was throughout his political career the leader of the conservative elements of the Senate. In 103 BC, he led the opposition against the "popularis" tribune Gaius Norbanus. Norbanus was prosecuting Quintus Servilius Caepio, the consul of 106 BC, after the latter's catastrophic loss at the Battle of Arausio (and, more specifically, for stealing the Gold of Tolosa). Alongside the tribune Titus Didius, Scaurus attempted to rally the conservative elements of the Senate against Norbanus, but was driven back through violence: Scaurus was even struck in the head by a stone. Norbanus was eventually tried in c. 95 BC for this act of violence.