Lucius Licinius Lucullus (consul 151 BC) facts for kids

Lucius Licinius Lucullus was a Roman politician. He became a consul in 151 BC. A consul was one of the two most important leaders in ancient Rome.

Lucullus was sent to Hispania Citerior (which was a part of Spain). The Roman Senate had said no to a peace deal with the Celtiberians. This deal was meant to end the Numantine War (154–152 BC). However, the general already there, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, quickly made a peace treaty before Lucullus arrived.

Lucullus was disappointed because he wanted to gain fame and wealth. So, he decided to attack the Vaccaei. They were a Celtiberian tribe who lived further north. Rome was not at war with them, and Lucullus did not have permission from the Senate. He claimed the Vaccaei had treated another group, the Carpetani, badly as his excuse.

Battles in Hispania

Lucullus set up his camp near the town of Cauca (close to modern Segovia). The people of Cauca asked for peace. Lucullus demanded that Roman soldiers be allowed into their town. After the soldiers entered, many of the men in the town were killed. Only a few people out of 20,000 managed to escape.

Lucullus then moved to the city of Intercatia (in modern Zamora). The people there had heard about what happened at Cauca. They refused to ask for peace terms. Lucullus found it hard to capture the city. His officer, Scipio Africanus the Younger, promised the Intercatians that if they made a treaty, it would not be broken. They trusted Scipio and surrendered.

Lucullus was told not to attack the large city of Pallantia (modern Palencia). This city was known for its brave people. But Lucullus heard it was a rich city, so he camped there. The Pallantian cavalry kept attacking his soldiers who were looking for food. Soon, Lucullus ran out of supplies. He had to leave Pallantia. He then set up his winter camp in the land of the Turdetani (in modern Andalusia).

Trouble at Home

Lucullus was put in prison by the tribunes (Roman officials). This happened because he tried to force people to join the army too strictly.

A historian named Appian wrote that Lucullus was very greedy. He said Lucullus fought these wars to find gold and silver. Lucullus thought there was a lot of gold and silver all over Spain. However, the people he attacked did not have much of these metals. They did not even think these metals were very valuable. Appian also noted that Lucullus was never punished for his actions. This showed how powerful Roman leaders often got away with things.

War with the Lusitanians

While Lucullus was in Turdetania, the Lusitanians (another group rebelling against Rome) started raiding the area. Lucullus invaded Lusitania. According to Appian, he caused a lot of destruction there. He was not supposed to be involved in this war. The war with the Lusitanians was under the control of Servius Sulpicius Galba. Galba was the praetor (another Roman official) of Hispania Ulterior (another part of Spain). Lucullus was staying in Galba's province for the winter.

However, Appian wrote that Galba was even greedier than Lucullus. Galba let Lucullus fight in Lusitania. Galba also did the same thing on the other side of Lusitania. Galba was also looking for treasure. He tricked and killed a large number of Lusitanians. He, too, was not held responsible for his actions.

Temple Building

Lucullus built a temple dedicated to Fortuna, the goddess of luck, in a place called the Velabrum in Rome. He built it to celebrate his "success." He decorated the temple with statues. These statues were lent to him by Lucius Mummius Achaicus. Mummius was a Roman general who had defeated the Achaean League in Greece.

Later, Mummius asked for his statues back. But Lucullus told him it would be wrong to take them. He said they were now dedicated to the goddess Fortuna. Another historian, Cassius Dio, wrote that Mummius lent him the statues because he was a kind and generous person.

Family Life

Lucullus was the father of another Lucius Licinius Lucullus. This son was a praetor in 104 BC. He led Roman forces against rebel slaves in Sicily during the Second Servile War (104–100 BC).

Our Lucullus was also the grandfather of two famous Romans:

• Lucius Licinius Lucullus, who was consul in 74 BC. He was a Roman commander in the first part of the Third Mithridatic War (74-63 BC).
• Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus, who was consul in 73 BC. He was also a governor of Macedonia in 72 BC.

See also

In Spanish: Lucio Licinio Lúculo (cónsul 151 a. C.) para niños

• Licinia (gens)