Lucullus in Roman Biography

Lu-cul'lus, (Lucius Licinius,) a celebrated Roman general, born of a patrician family about no B.C. In the year 87 he went to Asia as quajstor under Sulla, who gave him many proofs of his confidence. After an absence of several years, during which the civil war between Marius and Sulla raged at Rome, he returned, and was elected consul in 74 B.C. In this year he obtained the chief command in the war against Mithridates, whom he defeated at Cyzicus in 73, and, after other victories, drove him out of the kingdom of Pontus. He afterwards defeated Tigranes of Armenia, whose capital he took about 68 11.C The mutiny of his troops prevented his final triumph over Mithridates, and he was superseded by Pompey in the year 66. Cicero expressed the opinion that so great a war was never conducted with more prudence and courage. (" Pro Murama.") Lucullus then retired from public affairs, and expended part of the immense fortune he had acquired in the East in building magnificent villas, giving sumptuous entertainments, and collecting expensive paintings and statues. He was a liberal patron of learning and the arts. Sulla had dedicated to him his Commentaries. Plutarch, after comparing him with Cimon, says it is hard to say to which side the balance inclines. He was living in 59, but was not living in 56 B.C. See " Lucullus," in Plutarch's " Lives ;" Cicero, " Pro Lege Manilia;" Johan Upmahck, "Dissertatio historic* de Lucullo, 1701 Dion Cassius, " History of Rome," books xxxv. and xxxvn, ; Dkumann, "Geschiclue Roras," vol. iv. ; " Nouvelle Blugrauhie GiSiKSrale."