Lucullus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucullus
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Engraving of a marble bust traditionally said to be Lucullus (Hermitage Museum)
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| Born | 118 BC |
| Died | 57/56 BC (aged 61 or 62) |
| Nationality | Roman |
| Known for | Roman general and statesman |
| Office | Consul of Rome (74 BC) |
| Spouse(s) | Claudia Servilia |
| Parents |
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| Military career | |
| Years | 91–66 BC |
| Conflicts |
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Lucius Licinius Lucullus (118–57/56 BC) was a famous Roman general and statesman. He was a close friend of Lucius Cornelius Sulla, another powerful Roman leader. Lucullus spent over 20 years serving in the military and government.
He became very famous for his victories in the Third Mithridatic War. During this war, he conquered kingdoms in the East. He showed amazing leadership skills in many battles. Two of his most famous victories were the Siege of Cyzicus in 73–72 BC and the Battle of Tigranocerta in 69 BC. Ancient military experts often praised his leadership style. They even studied his campaigns as examples of how to be a skilled general.
When Lucullus returned to Rome, he brought back a huge amount of treasure. This included jewels, valuable artworks, and many other precious items. He used his great wealth for large building projects. He also invested in farming and even fish farms. His projects were so grand that they amazed everyone in Rome. Lucullus also generously supported artists and scientists. He turned his family estate into a complex for scholars and thinkers. He built the famous horti Lucullani (Palace and gardens of Lucullus) in Rome. He became a trendsetter in how to use great wealth. The writer Pliny the Elder even called him "Xerxes in a Toga." Lucullus passed away in 57 or 56 BC. He was buried at his family estate near Tusculum.
Sometimes, people mistakenly call him Ponticus. This name was actually given to his fellow consul, Marcus Aurelius Cotta. Cotta earned it after capturing and destroying Heraclea Pontica during the Third Mithridatic War.
Contents
Sources of Information About Lucullus
Lucullus was a well-known figure in ancient Rome. His life story was included in collections about famous Roman generals and politicians. These collections began with Marcus Terentius Varro, who lived at the same time as Lucullus.
Today, we have two main biographies about him. One is Plutarch's Lucullus, part of his famous Parallel Lives series. In this book, Lucullus is compared to the Athenian politician Cimon. The other is a shorter Latin book called Liber de viris illustribus. This book's information likely comes from Varro and another writer named Gaius Julius Hyginus.
Family Background and Early Career
Lucullus belonged to the important Licinia family. This family might have come from the old nobility of Tusculum. His grandfather, Lucius Licinius Lucullus, was a consul in 151 BC. His father, also named Lucius Licinius Lucullus, was a praetor in 104 BC. His father was later exiled around 102 BC.
His mother, Caecilia Metella, was born around 137 BC. Her family, the Metelli, was very powerful and influential when Lucullus was born. She was the youngest child of Lucius Caecilius Metellus Calvus. Her half-brothers were Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus and Lucius Caecilius Metellus Dalmaticus. The latter was also the father of Sulla's third wife, Caecilia Metella.
Lucullus likely served as a military officer in 89 BC. Plutarch says he served under Sulla during the Social War. He even wrote a history of this war in Greek.
Long Service as Quaestor (88–80 BC)
Lucullus was elected Quaestor in the winter of 89-88 BC. This was the same time Sulla became Consul. Lucullus was probably the only officer who dared to go with Sulla when he marched on Rome.
Later that year, Sulla sent Lucullus to Greece to check on the situation. Lucullus took over from Quintus Bruttius Sura. Sura had managed to stop the Mithridatic invasion in northern Greece.
When Sulla arrived with his main army, Lucullus continued to serve as his quaestor. He minted money that was used during the war against Mithridates. This money, called Lucullea, bore his name, as was the Roman custom.
As the Roman siege of Athens was ending, Sulla focused on fighting Mithridates at sea. He sent Lucullus to gather a fleet from Rome's allies. Lucullus first went to Cyrene and Ptolemaic Egypt.
Lucullus left Piraeus in the winter of 87-86 BC with a few small ships. He hoped to avoid the enemy fleets by being fast and sailing in bad weather. He first reached Crete and convinced its cities to support Rome. From there, he sailed to Cyrene, where a civil war had been raging for seven years. Lucullus's arrival helped end this conflict.
He then sailed to Egypt to ask King Ptolemy IX Soter II for ships. In Alexandria, the capital of Egypt, he was welcomed. However, Ptolemy decided to stay neutral and offered no help. From Alexandria, Lucullus sailed to Cyprus, avoiding Cilician pirates. He then went to Rhodos, a strong naval ally of Rome. The Rhodians gave him more ships.
Near Rhodos, Lucullus's fleet defeated a Mithridatic group. He then secured Cnidus and Cos. He drove the Mithridatic army from Chios and attacked Samos. From there, he moved north. Lucullus won another naval victory near Cape Lecton. From Lecton, he sailed to Tenedos, where the Mithridatic fleet was waiting.
After Lucullus defeated the Mithridatic admiral Neoptolemus in the Battle of Tenedos, he helped Sulla cross the Aegean to Asia. After a peace treaty was signed, Lucullus stayed in Asia. He collected the money Sulla had demanded from the province for its revolt. Lucullus tried to make these demands less harsh for the people.
After the First Mithridatic War
Lucullus was known for his fair leadership in the province of Asia. He helped calm the Roman subjects there, who had been upset and almost rebellious. He brought a sense of peace to the region. When the Roman governor of Asia, Lucius Licinius Murena, started the short Second Mithridatic War (83-81 BC), Lucullus was not involved.
During Lucullus's time in Asia, Mytilene, the capital of Lesbos, rebelled. Lucullus tried to solve the problem peacefully. But eventually, he attacked the city. He defeated their soldiers in a battle outside the walls and began a siege. After some time, Lucullus pretended to give up the siege and sailed away. When the Mytileneans entered his old camp, Lucullus ambushed them. He killed 500 enemies and captured 6,000.
Return to Rome (80–74 BC)
Lucullus returned to Rome in 80 BC. He was elected curule aedile for 79 BC, along with his brother Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus. They organized splendid public games.
The time Lucullus spent as praetor in Rome and then as governor of Roman Africa is less known. He probably governed Africa for the usual two years. Plutarch's biography skips this period entirely. However, Cicero mentions his praetorship and African command. Another Latin biography says he "ruled Africa with the highest degree of justice." This shows Lucullus performed regular administrative duties. It also highlights his respect for non-Greek people, which was notable for a Philhellene (someone who loves Greek culture).
His early career shows he was generous and fair. It also shows he followed traditional political paths. This was different from people like Cicero and Pompey. Cicero often avoided administrative duties in provinces. Pompey rejected normal career steps, always seeking big military commands.
Two other important events happened around 76 or 75 BC. Lucullus married Claudia, the youngest daughter of Appius Claudius Pulcher. He also bought a hilltop villa from Sulla's eldest daughter, Cornelia.
Sulla dedicated his memoirs to Lucullus. When Sulla died, he made Lucullus the guardian of his son Faustus and daughter Fausta. Sulla chose Lucullus over Pompey for this important role.
Consulship
In 74 BC, Lucullus served as consul with Marcus Aurelius Cotta. Cotta was the half-brother of Aurelia, who was the mother of Julius Caesar. During his time as consul, Lucullus defended Sulla's laws. He also supported Pompey, who was fighting the rebel Sertorius in Spain. Pompey needed funds and more soldiers. Lucullus was likely involved in making Cyrene a Roman province.
At first, Lucullus was assigned to govern Cisalpine Gaul. But he managed to get himself appointed governor of Cilicia. This happened after the previous governor died. It is said that Praecia recommended him. He also got command of the Third Mithridatic War against Mithridates VI of Pontus. This was a very desirable command because Mithridates ruled very rich lands.
Wars in the East (73–67 BC)
On his way to Cilicia, Lucullus landed his army in Asia province. He planned to march from Asia to western Cilicia and invade Pontus from the south. In Asia, he found two veteran legions, the Fimbrian legions, waiting for him. These soldiers had fought in earlier Mithridatic Wars.
When Lucullus heard that Cotta had been defeated, he went to help Cotta in Bithynia. Lucullus had to fight Mithridates on land and at sea. So, he gathered a large army and also built a fleet from the Greek cities of Asia. With this fleet, he defeated the enemy's fleet near Ilium and then near Lemnos.
On land, Lucullus used clever tactics. He managed to trap Mithridates' army at Cyzicus. According to ancient writers, Lucullus had about 30,000 foot soldiers and 1,600-2,500 horsemen. Mithridates was rumored to have as many as 300,000 men. Since Mithridates had many more soldiers, Lucullus decided not to fight a direct battle. Instead, he chose to starve his enemy. Lucullus blockaded Mithridates' huge army on the Cyzicus peninsula. Famine and disease then weakened Mithridates' forces. Mithridates was able to escape, but most of his soldiers died at Cyzicus.
The Pontic fleet tried to sail east into the Aegean. But Lucullus led his fleet against them. He captured 13 enemy ships. The main Pontic force pulled their ships ashore on a small island. Lucullus then sent foot soldiers across the island to attack them from behind. Many enemies were killed, and the rest were forced back to sea. Lucullus sank or captured 32 royal ships.
Lucullus finished off the Mithridatic army in Bithynia. Then he moved through Galatia, which was allied with Rome, into Pontus. He was careful not to engage Mithridates directly because Mithridates had more cavalry. However, after several small battles, Lucullus finally defeated him at the Battle of Cabira. He did not chase Mithridates right away. Instead, he focused on conquering Pontus and organizing affairs in Asia. His efforts to reform the greedy Roman administration in Asia made him unpopular among powerful tax collectors back in Rome.
Mithridates had fled to Armenia. In 71 BC, Lucullus sent his brother-in-law Appius Claudius Pulcher to the Armenian king, Tigranes II. Lucullus demanded that Tigranes surrender Mithridates. In his letter, Lucullus simply called Tigranes "king." This was seen as an insult and probably meant to provoke the proud Armenian ruler into war.
In 69 BC, Lucullus invaded Armenia. He began a siege of the new Armenian capital, Tigranocerta. Tigranes returned from putting down a rebellion in Syria with an experienced army. But Lucullus completely defeated them at the Battle of Tigranocerta. This battle happened on the same calendar date as a Roman disaster 36 years earlier. Tigranes retreated to the northern parts of his kingdom to gather another army. He wanted to defend his old capital, Artaxata. Meanwhile, Lucullus moved southeast to the kingdom of Corduene, near the borders of Armenia and Parthia. During the winter of 69–68 BC, both sides tried to make deals with the Parthian king.
In the summer of 68 BC, Lucullus continued the war against Tigranes. He crossed the Anti-Taurus Mountains in a long march. This was very difficult mountain country. He was heading for the old Armenian capital, Artaxata. A major battle took place near the River Arsanias. Lucullus once again defeated the Armenian royal army. However, he had misjudged the time needed for a campaign so far into the Armenian highlands. The good weather there ended quickly. When the first snows fell, his army refused to go any further.
Lucullus led his troops back south to the warmer areas of northern Mesopotamia. His troops caused no trouble there. He gave them the difficult task of capturing the great Armenian fortress of Nisibis. They quickly stormed it, and it became the Roman base for the winter of 68–67 BC.
That winter, Lucullus left his army at Nisibis. He took a small, fast escort and traveled to Syria. He wanted to permanently remove Tigranes from all his southern lands. Syria had been an Armenian province since 83 BC. Lucullus made one of the dispossessed Seleucid princes, Antiochus XIII, king of Syria. Lucullus's old friend Antiochus of Ascalon went with him on this journey and died in Antioch.
However, while Lucullus was away, his authority over his army at Nisibis weakened. Publius Clodius Pulcher, the youngest of the Claudian brothers, caused trouble. He seemed to be working for Pompey, who wanted to take over Lucullus's command. Clodius was Lucullus's brother-in-law. But he was also related to Pompey's wife. Lucullus's troops had endured long campaigns and hardships for years. They also felt they hadn't received enough rewards. This led to more and more disobedience. The Fimbrian legions, who had a history of rebellion, were especially encouraged by Clodius.
A series of protests against Lucullus happened while he was away. By the time he returned, he had largely lost control of his army. He could not conduct any more attacks. Also, Mithridates had returned to Pontus that same winter. He defeated the Roman forces Lucullus had left there. Lucullus had no choice but to retreat to Pontus and Cappadocia in the spring of 67 BC.
Despite winning battles, Lucullus had not captured either king. In 66 BC, most of Lucullus's troops openly refused to obey his commands. They only agreed to defend Roman positions. So, the Senate sent Pompey to take over Lucullus's command. At that point, Lucullus returned to Rome.
Later Years (66–57 BC)
The opposition against Lucullus continued when he returned to Rome. While he was away, Pompey had taken control of Sulla's children, against Sulla's will. Now, Pompey's political ally, Gaius Memmius, led the opposition against Lucullus's request for a triumph. Memmius gave several speeches against Lucullus's triumph. The opposition was so strong that the law needed for him to hold a triumph was delayed for three years. During this time, Lucullus had to live outside the city's sacred boundary. This limited his involvement in daily politics.
Instead of fully returning to political life, he mostly enjoyed a life of luxury. As Plutarch wrote, he "quit and abandoned public affairs." He might have felt that politics were too difficult, or that he had enough glory. He felt that after his many struggles, he deserved an easy and luxurious life. Plutarch said that Lucullus's life was like an old comedy. The first part was about politics and military commands. The second part was about banquets, parties, and all sorts of fun.
He used the vast treasure he collected during his wars in the East to live a life of luxury. He owned several luxurious villas:
- The Gardens of Lucullus in Rome.
- The huge Villa of Lucullus near Naples.
- The famous one near Tusculum.
- One on the promontory of Misenum.
- One on the island of Nisida in the Bay of Naples.
His villa near Naples included fish ponds and man-made extensions into the sea. It was one of many villas owned by wealthy senators around the Bay of Naples. Pompey often called Lucullus "Xerxes in a toga."
Lucullus finally held his triumph in 63 BC. This was partly thanks to the political efforts of Cato and Cicero. His triumph was remembered because he covered the Circus Flaminius with the weapons of the enemies he had defeated.
A Lover of Fine Food
Lucullus became so famous for his banquets that the word lucullan now means lavish, luxurious, and gourmet.
Once, Cicero and Pompey invited themselves to dinner with Lucullus. They were curious to see what kind of meal Lucullus ate when he was alone. So, they told him not to tell his servants about their visit. However, Lucullus outsmarted them. He got Pompey and Cicero to agree that he could choose which room they would dine in. He ordered his servants to serve him in the Apollo Room. He knew his staff was trained on the specific details for each dining room. The standard amount for a dinner in the Apollo room was a large sum of 50,000 drachmae. So, Cicero and Pompey soon found themselves eating a very luxurious meal they did not expect.
Another story tells that his steward, hearing Lucullus would have no guests, served only one simple course. Lucullus scolded him, saying, "What, did you not know, then, that today Lucullus dines with Lucullus?"
Lucullus also brought the sour cherry, the sweet cherry, and the apricot to Rome. He built large facilities for raising fish. He was the only person in Rome who could provide thrushes for eating in every season. He had his own coops for fattening them. Cicero once called Lucullus 'Piscinarius', meaning "fish fancier."
A type of Swiss chard (a vegetable) is named "Lucullus" in his honor.
Lucullus and Learning
Lucullus was very well educated in Latin and Greek. He was very interested in literature and philosophy from a young age. He became lifelong friends with the Greek poet Archias and with Antiochus of Ascalon, a leading philosopher.
During his long stay in Alexandria in 86 BC, Lucullus saw the start of a major disagreement in the Platonic Academy. His friend Antiochos of Ascalon received a copy of a work by the Academy's leader, Philo of Larissa. This work was so radical that Antiochos doubted Philo had written it. But Philo's recent students confirmed it was authentic. Antiochos and another student discussed the book in front of Lucullus. While waiting for the king, Antiochos wrote a strong argument against Philo. This marked his break from Philo's "Sceptical Academy." It also began a separate, more traditional school called the Old Academy.
Decline and Death
Plutarch wrote that Lucullus lost his mind towards the end of his life. He showed signs of mental illness as he got older. However, Plutarch seemed unsure if this madness was real. He hinted that Lucullus might have pretended to be mentally unwell. This could have been a way to protect himself from his political opponents. During that time, political struggles could often mean life or death. Lucullus's brother Marcus oversaw his funeral.
His tomb has been found near his villa in Tusculum.
Marriages
Lucullus married Clodia, one of the daughters of Appius Claudius Pulcher. This happened around 76 BC or later. They had a daughter and possibly a son with the same name. He divorced Clodia around 66 BC. This was after disagreements with her brother, Publius Clodius Pulcher, in Asia.
He later married Servilia. She was the daughter of Livia and Quintus Servilius Caepio. She was also the sister of Servilia Major and half-sister of Cato the Younger. They had a son named Marcus. When Lucullus died, he made Cato the guardian of his son.
See also
In Spanish: Lucio Licinio Lúculo para niños
- Mithridatic Wars
- Hortensius (Cicero)
- Academica (Cicero)
- Lucullan
