Quintus Minucius Thermus (consul 193 BC) facts for kids

Quintus Minucius Thermus was an important Roman leader and military general who lived a long time ago. He was involved in many key events during a busy time in Roman history, helping to make peace treaties and lead armies. He held several important jobs in the Roman government, like being a consul and a praetor.

Early Life and First Steps in Politics

Quintus Minucius Thermus might have been a military tribune in Africa around 202 BC. A military tribune was a high-ranking officer in the Roman army. He served under a famous general named Scipio Africanus.

In 201 BC, Thermus became a tribune of the plebs. This was a job where he represented the common people of Rome. He worked with another tribune, Manius Acilius Glabrio. Together, they stopped another Roman leader from taking control of Africa as his special area. Thermus also helped pass a law that confirmed the peace treaty with Carthage after the Second Punic War. This war was a huge conflict between Rome and Carthage. His actions likely helped Scipio Africanus, who was finishing up the peace treaty and later got the special name "Africanus" because of his victories in Africa.

Helping to Build New Cities

In 198 BC, Thermus became a curule aedile. This job involved overseeing public works and games in Rome.

Starting in 197 BC, he joined a special group of three men. Their job was to set up new Roman colonies. These colonies were like new towns or settlements for Roman citizens. They established colonies at the mouths of the Volturnus and Liternus rivers, and also at Puteoli, Castrum Salerni, and Buxentum. These places were all in a region called Campania in Italy.

Military Success in Spain

In 196 BC, Thermus was a praetor. A praetor was a high-ranking judge and military commander. He was sent to Hispania Citerior, which was a part of Spain controlled by Rome.

He had a big military success there at a place called Turda. He defeated a group of people called the Turboletae. Because of this victory, he was given the special honor of a Roman triumph. A triumph was a grand parade in Rome to celebrate a military commander's victory.

Leading Armies in Liguria

Thermus was elected consul in 193 BC. A consul was one of the two highest elected officials in the Roman Republic, like a president. He was put in charge of Liguria, a region in northern Italy.

From his base in Pisa, he fought against the Ligurians. These were local people living in the area. He didn't have much success at first. One of his officers was M. Cincius Alimentus. Thermus's command was extended for another year. During this time, he finally defeated the Ligurian forces near Pisa. He stayed in Liguria as a proconsul, which meant he continued to command the army there, until 190 BC. The Roman senate then told him to hand over his command to another general, Scipio Nasica. When he returned to Rome, he was not given another triumph.

Final Mission and Death

In 189 and 188 BC, Thermus was part of a group of ten men. This group helped another Roman leader, Manlius Vulso, to finalize a peace treaty with a powerful king named Antiochus III. They also helped set up how the Roman province of Asia would be governed.

Thermus went with Manlius to officially swear an oath that made the treaty valid. Sadly, while returning through a region called Thrace with Manlius, Quintus Minucius Thermus was killed.

See also

In Spanish: Quinto Minucio Termo para niños