Lucius Licinius Murena (praetor 88 BC) facts for kids

Lucius Licinius Murena was an important Roman soldier and politician. He is remembered for his role in the Roman victory against Mithridates VI of Pontus at the Battle of Chaeronea in 86 BC. This battle happened during the First Mithridatic War. Murena is also known for starting another war, the Second Mithridatic War (83–81 BC), against Mithridates. He began this war in Asia Minor without permission from the Roman senate.

Murena's Early Career and the First War

Lucius Murena served as a Roman official called a praetor around 88 BC. A praetor was a high-ranking judge or military commander in ancient Rome. He was a trusted assistant, or legatus, to the famous Roman general Lucius Cornelius Sulla. They fought together in the First Mithridatic War (89–85 BC). This war was against Mithridates VI of Pontus, a powerful king in Asia Minor.

Murena at the Battle of Chaeronea

Murena played a key part in the Battle of Chaeronea in 86 BC. General Sulla set up his army camp near Chaeronea. The enemy commander, Archelaus, was camped nearby. Sulla left Murena with a Roman legion (a large army unit) and two cohorts (smaller units) to watch the enemy. Sulla then went to Chaeronea, where Rome had a small army.

Some people from Chaeronea offered to help attack the enemy at a place called Thurium. Sulla agreed and prepared his army for battle. He put Murena in charge of the left side of the Roman army. During the battle, Murena's part of the army was attacked. Sulla sent soldiers to help him. Murena was already winning, and Sulla joined him in chasing the fleeing enemy soldiers.

The Second Mithridatic War

After the First Mithridatic War ended, General Sulla left Murena in Asia Minor. Murena was given the job of watching over the region. He was put in charge of two Roman legions. These legions had belonged to another general, Gaius Flavius Fimbria. Murena was given control of areas like Phrygia, Galatia, and Cappadocia.

Why Murena Started the Second War

The peace treaty that ended the First Mithridatic War was called the Treaty of Dardanos. This treaty allowed King Mithridates to keep his kingdom of Pontus. However, Murena decided to start another war against Mithridates without permission from Rome. This became known as the Second Mithridatic War (83–81 BC).

In 83 BC, Murena attacked a town called Comana. This town belonged to Mithridates. Murena suspected that Mithridates was getting ready for another war against Rome. Mithridates was building a fleet of ships and gathering an army. He said he needed them to deal with a rebellion in other parts of his kingdom.

Murena also thought Mithridates had not given all of Cappadocia back to its king, Ariobarzanes I. Ariobarzanes was an ally of Rome. Mithridates sent messengers to Murena, reminding him of the peace treaty. Murena replied that he did not recognize any treaty because Sulla had not written it down before leaving. Murena then began to take valuable goods from the area. He then went to Cappadocia to spend the winter.

Rome's Orders and Murena's Defeat

Mithridates sent messengers to Rome to complain about Murena's actions. In 82 BC, Murena took control of 400 villages that belonged to Mithridates. Mithridates chose to wait for his messengers to return from Rome rather than fight back right away. Murena returned to Phrygia and Galatia with all the goods he had taken.

A messenger from the Roman senate, named Calidius, reached Murena. The senate ordered Murena to stop fighting because Mithridates had not broken the peace treaty. But Murena ignored this order and invaded Mithridates’ territory again. Mithridates thought that Rome must have ordered this attack and fought back. Roman villages were attacked, and goods were taken.

Murena was eventually defeated by Mithridates in a battle near the River Halys. He fled to Phrygia. Mithridates then drove all the Roman soldiers out of Cappadocia. Another Roman official, Aulus Gabinius, was sent to make sure Murena stopped fighting. Gabinius was also told to meet with Mithridates and King Ariobarzanes I to help them make peace. Murena was then called back to Rome.

Later Life and Legacy

Even though he started a war without permission, Murena was given a special honor called a triumph in 81 BC. A triumph was a grand parade in Rome to celebrate a military victory. His son, also named Lucius Licinius Murena, later became a consul (one of the two highest officials in Rome) in 62 BC.