Lucius Calpurnius Bestia (consul) facts for kids

Lucius Calpurnius Bestia was an important Roman leader who lived a long time ago. He was a senator, which was like being a member of the government in ancient Rome. He also held other big jobs, like being a tribune of the plebs in 121 BC and a consul in 111 BC. A consul was one of the two highest leaders in the Roman Republic, similar to a president today.

Leading Roman Armies

In 111 BC, Lucius Calpurnius Bestia was put in charge of the Roman army to fight against Jugurtha. Jugurtha was a king from North Africa who was causing trouble for Rome. Bestia started the war with a lot of energy and seemed to be doing well.

The Peace Agreement

However, after a while, Bestia made a peace deal with Jugurtha. This agreement was not seen as fair or honorable by many Romans. When Bestia returned to Rome, people were very unhappy with how he handled the war.

Facing a Trial

Because of the peace deal he made, Lucius Calpurnius Bestia had to go on trial in Rome. He was found guilty for his actions during the war. Even Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, another important Roman who had worked with Bestia, was involved in the trial and voted to condemn him.

Later Life and Legacy

It's possible that Lucius Calpurnius Bestia is the same person, or perhaps the father of, another Bestia who lived later. This other Bestia was involved in encouraging Italian allies to revolt against Rome around 90 BC. To avoid trouble, he left Rome and went into exile.

What People Thought of Bestia

Famous Roman writers like Cicero and Sallust wrote about Lucius Calpurnius Bestia. They both said that he was a very capable and talented person. However, they also mentioned that he sometimes made choices that were not good, especially when it came to money.

A Mention in History

Lucius Calpurnius Bestia is also mentioned in an old inscription found in Carthage, a city in North Africa. This inscription suggests he was part of a group of three people, possibly working on something important like farming or land.

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