Publius Licinius Crassus (consul 97 BC) facts for kids

Publius Licinius Crassus was an important Roman politician who lived a long time ago. He was part of a well-known Roman family called the Licinia gens. Publius was also the father of Marcus Licinius Crassus, who became a very famous leader in Rome. Publius died in 87 BC.

His father was Marcus Licinius Crassus Agelastus. Publius also had a brother, Marcus Licinius Crassus, who held an important government job called praetor in 107 BC.

Publius Crassus: A Roman Leader

Early Career and New Laws

Before he became a consul, Publius Crassus suggested a law about how much money people could spend on meals. This law was approved, showing his interest in managing public spending.

He became a consul in 95 BC. A consul was one of the two highest elected officials in the Roman Republic. During his time as consul, the Roman senate made rules against certain old, harmful practices.

Governor in Spain and a Big Victory

Between 97 BC and 93 BC, Publius Crassus worked as a governor in a Roman province called Hispania Ulterior (which is now part of Spain). While he was there, he led Roman forces to victory in a battle against the Lusitani people.

Because of this important win, he was honored with a special parade called a triumph in Rome. This was a huge honor for a Roman general.

Serving as a Censor

In 89 BC, Publius Crassus became a censor. Censors were powerful Roman officials who kept track of citizens and their wealth. They also had the power to make rules about public morals.

As a censor, Publius banned foreign wines and perfumes. He later helped organize new citizens into voting districts. His friend, Lucius Julius Caesar III, worked with him as a colleague.

Family Life and Challenges

Even though Publius Crassus was very wealthy, he lived in a small house. He had three sons with his wife, Venuleia. His sons were Publius Licinius Crassus, Lucius Licinius Crassus, and Marcus Licinius Crassus Dives. Marcus later became one of the famous triumvirs.

Sadly, his son Publius died during a conflict called the Social War. His son Lucius was killed in 87 BC. Publius Crassus stayed with his family throughout his life. He lived long enough to see his two sons, Publius and Lucius, get married. He also saw the birth of his first grandchild.

During the 80s BC, there was a lot of conflict in Rome. Two powerful Roman leaders, Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla, were fighting for control. Publius Crassus had supported Marius at first. However, he later tried to stay neutral, as he did not agree with the extreme methods used by either Marius or Sulla.

Was Publius Crassus an Author?

Some ancient writers, like the geographer Strabo, mentioned a book about the "Cassiterides." These were semi-legendary islands, thought to be rich in tin, located near the west coasts of Europe. The book was supposedly written by a Publius Crassus.

For a long time, some historians thought this book was written by Publius's grandson during his time in Armorica (modern-day France). However, many modern scholars now believe that the elder Publius Crassus wrote the book. They think he wrote it during his time as governor in Spain in the 90s BC. It's possible his grandson's later trip to Armorica was partly inspired by business interests, hoping to use the information from the earlier survey.

See also

In Spanish: Publio Licinio Craso (cónsul 97 a. C.) para niños

• Licinia gens