Marcus Petreius facts for kids

Marcus Petreius (born around 110 BC – died April 46 BC) was an important Roman politician and general. He was a strong supporter of Pompey, another famous Roman leader. Like Pompey, Marcus Petreius came from a region in eastern Italy called Picenum. He is well-known for defeating and killing the rebel leader Catiline in a battle near Pistoia.

Marcus Petreius's Early Life and Career

We don't know much about the very beginning of Marcus Petreius's career. However, he was the first person in his family to become a member of the Roman Senate. The Senate was a powerful group of leaders who helped govern ancient Rome.

A Roman writer named Sallust described Petreius as a true military man. By 62 BC, Petreius had already spent about 30 years serving in the Roman army. During this time, he held several important military roles. These included being a Military tribune, a Prefect, and a Legate. A Military Tribune was a high-ranking officer, a Prefect was a commander, and a Legate was a general who led legions (large groups of soldiers). Petreius also served as a Praetor by 64 BC, which was an important government official position.

Key Military Campaigns

Marcus Petreius gained a lot of experience in different wars.

Serving Under Pompey

Petreius first fought in the Social War, which took place from 91 to 88 BC. He served under a general named Pompeius Strabo. Later, from 76 to 71 BC, he worked as a Legate for Pompey in Spain. There, he helped Pompey fight against a rebel leader named Sertorius.

Defeating Catiline

In 63 and 62 BC, Petreius served as a Legate under the Consul (one of the two highest elected officials in Rome) Gaius Antonius Hybrida. Petreius led the Roman army that defeated the revolutionary leader Lucius Sergius Catilina. This important victory happened at the Battle of Pistoria in early 62 BC. Interestingly, Consul Hybrida was not present at the battle because he had a foot injury.

Civil War and Later Years

When Julius Caesar was Consul in 59 BC, Marcus Petreius chose to side with Caesar's rival, Marcus Porcius Cato.

From 55 BC, Petreius and another Roman named Lucius Afranius were in charge of the Spanish provinces. They acted as Legates while the official governor, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey), stayed in Rome.

When the Civil War broke out in 49 BC, Petreius and Afranius led their armies against Caesar. Caesar wanted to take control of Spain before moving on to fight Pompey in Greece. After some early successes, Petreius and Afranius were defeated by Caesar. They were forced to surrender and send their soldiers home at the Battle of Ilerda on August 2. Caesar allowed Petreius and Afranius to go free. They then traveled to Greece to join Pompey's forces.

After Pompey's defeat at the Battle of Pharsalus, Petreius and Cato escaped to North Africa. There, Petreius continued to serve as a Legate, fighting against Caesar. Along with Titus Labienus, Petreius managed to win several battles against Caesar's forces.

However, after the Pompeians were finally defeated at the Battle of Thapsus, Petreius fled with the Numidian King, Juba. They realized their situation was hopeless. Near Zama, Petreius and Juba decided to end their lives. They agreed to fight each other in a duel, and Petreius killed Juba.

See also

In Spanish: Marco Petreyo para niños