Lucius Aemilius Paullus (consul 219 BC) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucius Aemilius Paullus
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The Death of Paulus Aemilius at the Battle of Cannae by John Trumbull
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| Roman consul | |
| In office 15 March 216 BC – 2 August 216 BC Serving with Gaius Terentius Varro
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| Preceded by | Gaius Lutatius Catulus Lucius Veturius Philo |
| Succeeded by | Gaius Terentius Varro (remaining term) |
| In office 15 March 219 BC – 14 March 218 BC Serving with Marcus Livius Salinator
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| Preceded by | Gnaeus Servilius Geminus Marcus Atilius Regulus |
| Succeeded by | Publius Cornelius Scipio Tiberius Sempronius Longus |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 2 August 216 BC Cannae, Roman Republic |
| Nationality | Roman |
| Children | Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus Aemilia Prima Aemilia Secunda Aemilia Tertia |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Roman Republic |
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Lucius Aemilius Paullus (died 2 August 216 BC), also called Paulus, was an important Roman leader. He served as a consul for the Roman Republic two times. A consul was like a top government official or a president. He is mostly remembered for being a commander in the Battle of Cannae. Sadly, he died in this famous battle.
Contents
The Life of Lucius Aemilius Paullus
Early Career and First Consulship
Lucius Aemilius Paullus was the son of Marcus Aemilius Paullus, who was also a consul in 255 BC. In 219 BC, Lucius Aemilius Paullus became a consul for the first time. He shared this important job with Marcus Livius Salinator.
During his first consulship, he led Roman forces in the Second Illyrian War. He successfully defeated Demetrius of Pharos, a ruler who was causing trouble for Rome. Demetrius had to run away to Philip V of Macedon's kingdom. When Paullus returned to Rome, he was given a triumph. A triumph was a huge parade to celebrate a great military victory. Later, he faced some accusations about how he divided the spoils of war, but he was found innocent.
The Second Punic War and Cannae
Later, during the Second Punic War, Paullus became consul for a second time. This was in 216 BC. He served alongside Gaius Terentius Varro. They both shared command of the Roman army at the Battle of Cannae. This battle was against Hannibal, a famous Carthaginian general.
Varro decided to lead the troops into battle, even though Paullus advised against it. The battle turned into a terrible defeat for the Romans. Thousands of Roman soldiers died. Paullus bravely fought and died in the battle. Varro, his fellow consul, managed to escape.
In an old epic poem called Punica by Silius Italicus, it says that Paullus killed a Carthaginian commander named Viriathus before he died himself.
His Family
Lucius Aemilius Paullus had several children. His son, Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus, became a very famous Roman general later on. His daughter, Aemilia Tertia, married Scipio Africanus. Scipio Africanus was the Roman commander who eventually defeated Hannibal. This means Lucius Aemilius Paullus was the grandfather of Publius Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus. Scipio Aemilianus was the Roman commander who destroyed Carthage, Rome's great enemy.
See also
- Scipio-Paullus-Gracchus family tree
