LUCULLUS, LUCIUS LICINIUS

born c. 117 BC died 58/56 Roman general who fought Mithradates VI Eupator of Pontus from 74 to 66 BC. He served Lucius Cornelius Sulla as quaestor in 88, took part in his march on Rome, and was his proquaestor in the East from 87 until his return to Italy. He was aedile in 79 and (by special dispensation) praetor in 78. In 74, when Lucullus was consul, the Roman province of Bithynia was invaded by Mithradates, king of Pontus. Lucullus was appointed governor of Cilicia and later of Asia and commanded Roman forces in the war against Mithradates. With five legions he drove his opponent from Cyzicus in the winter of 7473 and defeated him at Cabira in 72. By 70 the war seemed to be over. Lucullus' able financial administration alleviated the crisis caused by the war in the province of Asia and earned him the hostility of those Roman businessmen whose profits were cut by his reforms on behalf of the provincials. Mithradates then gained the alliance of his son-in-law, Tigranes, king of Armenia. Lucullus attacked Armenia, defeated Tigranes, and captured his capital, Tigranocerta, in 69. Three mutinies by Lucullus' troops in 6867, however, forced him to curtail operations. Mithradates recovered much of his lost territory, and Lucullus' enemies carried legislation (Lex Manilia) requiring him to hand over his command to Gnaeus Pompey. Lucullus was prevented from celebrating his triumph at Rome until 63. Afterward he retired to enjoy a life of great extravagance. The adjective Lucullan, meaning luxurious, derives from his name.