Lucullus, Lucius Licinius

(born c. 117—died 57/56 BC) Roman general who served as consul in 74 BC. He fought alongside Sulla and was the only officer to take part in Sulla's march on Rome. After Sulla's death Lucullus maintained his power through intrigue. He commanded the legions that drove Mithradates from Bithynia and Pontus to Armenia and later invaded Armenia and defeated its king, Tigranes. Mutinies prevented his complete victory, and Lucullus was replaced by Pompey, whom he opposed in the Senate. His legendary hedonism and extravagance made the word Lucullan a synonym of “lavish.”

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