LUCULLUS, LU'CIUS LICFNIUS, descended from a distinguished Roman family, was born about B.C. 115, and served under Sulla in the Marsian war. Sulla had a very high opinion of the talents and integrity of Lucullus, and employed him, though he was very young, in many important enterprises. Whilst Sulla was besieging Athens (s.c. 87), Lucullns was sent into Egypt and Africa to collect a fleet ; and after the conclusion of the war with Mithridates, he was left in Asia to collect the money which Sulla had imposed upon the conquered states. So great was the regard that Sulla had for Lucullus, that he dedicated his Commentaries to bim, and in his last will made him guardian to his son. • In n.c. 74, Lucullus was elected consul, and was appointed to the command in the war against Mithridates. During the following eight years he was entirely engaged in conducting this war ; and in a series of brilliant campaigns completely defeated Mithridates and his powerful son-in-law Tigraoes. In n.o. 73 he defeated Mithridates at Cyzicua on the Propontis, and in the following year again conquered him at Cabiri, on the borders of Pontus and Armenia. In s.c. 69 he marched into Armenia against Tigmnea, who had espoused the cause of his father in-law ; and completely defeated his forces near Tigra nocerta in Armenia. He followed np his victory by the capture of Tigranocerta, and in the following year also took Nisibis, in the north part of Mesopotamia ; but was not able to derive all the advantages he might have done from his victories, in consequence of the mutinous disposition of his soldiers. Lucullue never appears to have been a favourite with his troops ; and their disaffection was iucreased by the acts of Clodius, whosesister Lucnllus had married. The popular party at home were not slow in attacking a general who had been the personal friend of Sulla, and who was known to be a powerful sup porter of the patrician party. They accused him of protracting the
war on account of the facilities it afforded him of acquiring wealth; and eventually carried a measure by which he was removed from the command, and succeeded by Podipey, D.C. 66.
The senate, says Plutarch, had looked forward to Lucullue as likely to prove a most powerful supporter of the patrician order; but in this they were disappointed ; for Lucullus on his return to Rome took no part in public affairs, and passed the remainder of his life in retirement. The immense fortune which he had amassed during his command in Asia he employed in the erection of most magnificent villas near Naples and TWICUitlfil ; and he lived in a style of magni ficence and luxury which appears to have astonished even the most wealthy of his contemporaries. Lucullus was a man of refined taste and liberal education P • he wrote in his youth the history of the Marsian war in Greek (Plutarch, 'Luc.; c. i.; compare Cie. Ad. Att.,' i. 12), and was a warm supporter of learning and the arts. His houses were decorated with the most costly paintings and statues, and his library, which he had collected at an immense expense, was open to all learned men. He lived on intimate terms with Cicero, who has highly praised his learning, and inscribed one of his books with the name of his friend, namely, the fourth book of his Academical Questions,' in which he makes Lucullus defend the philosophical opinions of the Old Academy.
It is said that during the latter years of his life Lucullus lost his senses, and that his brother had the care of his estate.