MUMMIUS, LUCIUS

flourished 2nd century BC Roman statesman and general who crushed the uprising of the Achaean League against Roman rule in Greece. As praetor in 153, Mummius defeated the rebellious Lusitanians in southwestern Spain; the following year he celebrated a triumph at Rome. As consul in 146, he was appointed commander of the war against the Achaean League. He defeated the Greek forces at Leucopetra on the Isthmus of Corinth and captured and destroyed Corinth. The Roman Senate then dissolved the Achaean League. Mummius' indifference to works of art and ignorance of their value is shown by his well-known remark to those who contracted for the shipment of the treasures of Corinth to Rome, that if they lost or damaged them, they would have to replace them.