Changes

==Background==Ancient biographer Plutarch regarded Lucullus was born into (118-56 BC) as one of the noblest families in Rome greatest generals and he was related to some political leaders of the most powerful clans in the late Republic. His received He contributed to the traditional education of a young member rise of the elite Roman Empire and as expected, of someone from his class, he began a public career. Lucullus was a member of the optimatesdecisive influence on its culture, which supported the traditional Senatorial class against the Populists, who sought the support of the common people. This was a very unstable period in Roman history and there was political violence in the city but today Lucullus is largely unknown and the Republic descended into near civil warforgotten. Lucullus served with the Optimate general Sulla and it appears that After he served with him during the Social War<ref>Plutarch. Life fell out of Lucullus, 5. 4</ref>. Lucullus seemed to have been highly rated by Sulla and favor in Roman politics he was elected as Quaestor of Rome (88 BC). Sulla had made transformed himself absolute ruler into a noted patron of the Republic arts and he wanted to reform Rome and end its endemic political instabilitybuilder. However, Plutarch argued that Lucullus was a crisis key figure in the Eastern Mediterranean forced him to leave Italyhistory of Rome. This He was instrumental in the beginning of a great conflict with, defeat Mithridates IV of Pontus, one of Rome’s most formidable enemies. Lucullus also laid the foundation for Roman supremacy in the Near East and Black Sea region, that lasted for centuries. He also played a vital role in ways as formidable as the great Carthaginian Hannibalcultural development of Rome.

==Mithridates IV of Pontus ==Background====Rome after the defeat Lucullus was born into one of the Kingdom of Macedonia became the dominant power noblest families in the Eastern Mediterranean. It did not directly control Greece Rome, and Asia Minor but he was related to some of the dominant player most powerful clans in the regionRepublic. This was resented by many and particularly resented by He received the King traditional education of Pontus, Mithridates IV (135-63 BC). He ruled a powerful kingdom on young member of the Black Sea coast of modern Turkey elite and was as expected, of Iranian descent. He was a larger than life figure and he was famed for someone from his cunningclass, Herculean strength, his brutality and began a public career. Lucullus was a legend in his own lifetime <ref> Mayor, Adrienne, The Poison King: The Life and Legend member of Mithradatesthe optimates, Rome's Deadliest Enemy (Princetonwhich supported the traditional Senatorial class against the Populists, PUP, 2009), p 14 </ref>. The King of Pontus seized who sought the Greek state in the Crimea and also subjugated large parts support of the Caucusescommon people. Mithridates wanted to end Roman influence in what he saw as his region and to seize Asia Minor (modern Turkey). He decided to act and ordered the massacre of Latins living in Asia Minor and several thousand were murdered, and simultaneously he invaded Bithynia which This was allied to Rome (88 BC). This led the Senate to declare war on the king, in response the Pontic monarch he gathered a huge army and invaded Greece. However, Sulla moved quickly and defeated Mithridates and his allies volatile period in two great battles and swept the Pontic king’s forces from EuropeRoman history. Lucullus played a critical role Political violence was common in what became known as the First Mithridatic WarRome, named after Mithridates VI <ref> Mayor, 119 </ref>. He assembled a navy and defeated the Pontic naval forces and ferried Sulla’s army from Greece Republic had descended into Asia. This amphibious operation persuaded Mithridates to seek an end to the war and he was granted generous terms by Sulla who wanted to quickly return to Rome, which was in a state of near civil war. Lucullus reputation was much enhanced by his role in the war<ref>Plutarch, 3. 5</ref>.

==Third Mithridatic War (73-63 BC)==Lucullus held several posts in Rome and he gained a reputation as a competent and fair administrator. Meanwhile, Mithridates was able to regroup and fought a brief conflict served with a Roman the Optimate generalSulla, which is known as the Second Mithridatic war. The balance of power changed in the Roman East when Lucullus became an ally of Tigranes the Great, an Armenian monarch who established a large Empire that ranged from the Caucuses into modern Syria and east into Iraq. Mithridates once more attacked Roman allies and quickly overran most of them in 73 AD. Lucullus as consul with sent with his co-consul in 70 BC to deal he fought with him during the threat. His colleague blundered into a trap in Cynicus and was soon besieged by Mithridates. Lucullus responded quickly and soon surrounded the Pontic monarch’s army and inflicted a massive defeat on his forces. The Pontic monarch retreated into Armenia and went to the court of his ally Tigranes who was also his son-in-law. Lucullus took over the Pontic Kingdom and after Tigranes refused to hand over the Pontic king, the Romans invaded the Armenian Empire. The Roman general besieged the Armenian capital Tigrancerta. The Armenian king who had been quelling a revolt returned to relieve the siege of his capitalSocial War. Lucullus was outnumbered, and his enemy had assumed a defensive position. The Armenians cataphracts or heavy cavalry were the elite of Tigranes army <ref> Sherwin-White, Adrian N. (1994). "Lucullus, Pompey, and the East"Plutarch. In J. A. Crook; Andrew Lintott; Elizabeth Rawson. The Cambridge Ancient History IX: The Last Age of the Roman Republic, 146-43 BC. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 241 </refi>. Lucullus decided on a daring plan Life of attack. He ordered his infantry to advance over a hill and attacked the Armenian heavy cavalry in the rear. Lucullus army nearly annihilated the cataphracts and the Armenian infantry fled, but they were ridden down by the Roman cavalry. Lucullus has secured a remarkable victory and one that was studied throughout the centuries<ref/i>Keaveney, Arthur: Lucullus5. A Life (London/New York: Routledge, 1992), p 1194</ref>. He went on to inflict another crushing defeat on the Armenian king in what is now modern Iraq. However, Mithridates resourceful as ever returned to Pontus and defeated the Roman garrison at the battle of Zela. Some in Rome blamed Sulla highly regarded Lucullus for this defeat and for his apparent inability to end the conflict. Plutarch in his biography stated that Pompey wanted the command of the army in the war against Mithridates and he conspired with others against Lucullus <ref>Plutarch, 7, 2</ref>. An ally of Pompey incited a mutiny in the army and this led to the recall of supported Lucullus. Pompey took over command of his army and later when he secured the final submission was elected as Quaestor of Tigranes. He advanced into the Caucuses and Mithridates committed suicide when his own son betrayed him. Lucullus returned to Rome an extremely wealthy man and was excluded from public life by the Pompeian allies(88 BC). He became a great builder and a patron of the arts and was renowned for his lavish lifestyle <ref> Sherwin, p 242 </ref>.[[File: Mithridates VI Louvre.jpg |200px|thumb|left| A bust of Mithridates VI as Hercules]] ==Lucullus and the defeat of Mithridates==Mithridates was a formidable foe and was incredibly resilient and took advantage Sulla had made himself absolute ruler of the endemic divisions in the Roman Republic. In the First and Third Mithridatic War, he posed a grievous threat wanted to reform Rome influence in the eastern Mediterranean. This was especially the case in the Third war between the Pontic king and the Republic when Mithridates entered into an alliance with the Roman rebels in Spainend its endemic political instability. Lucullus displayed remarkable generalship prevented the Pontic king and his Armenian allies from expelling Rome from the Near East <ref>Sherwin, p. 245</ref>. His victories ensured that Mithridates was all but beaten. The King was able to escape and was even able to recapture some of his lands. In factHowever, the Pontic king was severely weakened and his alliance with Armenia was at an end. He only had a small army and many of his lands were crisis in outright revolt. He was beaten and only his bravery and resourcefulness, allowed the Eastern Mediterranean forced him to continue the fight against Romeleave Italy. Lucullus was This crisis signaled the general who could claim to have ended the threat from the Pontic King. By doing this he not only saved Rome in the east but also enabled the Republic to dominate Asia Minor and the Levant for centuries <ref>Sherwin, p 244</ref>. In fact, Roman control of Asia Minor was not again challenged until the 7th century AD. ==The defeat of Armenia==Tigranes after he became king of Armenia, exploited Parthian and Seleucid weakness and created a vast Empire. He captured Mesopotamia and conquered the remnants of the once mighty Seleucid Empire. Tigranes made Armenia the greatest power in the region, even greater than Parthia. Lucullus defeat of Tigranes weakened the Armenian and much start of his newly acquired lands revolted against his rule. He was forced to withdraw from the war with Rome and abandoned his ally, Mithridates. In the aftermath IV of Lucullus victory at Tigrancertta, the Armenian Empire collapsed into near anarchyPontus. Pompey allied with the Parthians and as Mithridates posed a result, a chastened Armenian became a client kingdom of significant to Rome, which it remained for centuries. This allowed Rome to secure a strategic advantage for itself on its Eastern frontier, until at least the rise of the Sassanian Empire. If Lucullus had not defeated Tigranes, the Armenian Empire may have endured, and this could have changed the history of the Near East. However, there was one unexpected outcome of as formidable as the defeat of Tigranes and that was that it allowed Parthia to emerge strongergreat Carthaginian Hannibal. It was to become the main foe of first the Republic and then later the Empire in the East.[[File: 1200px-Armenian Empire.png |200px|thumb| The Empire of Tigranes at its greatest extent]]

==Lucullus and the arts==Mithridates IV of Pontus ====The party Rome after the defeat of the Kingdom of Pompey saw Lucullus as a threat Macedonia became the dominant power in the Eastern Mediterranean. This was resented by many and excluded him from public life and he ‘“fell back on a life particularly resented by the King of ease and luxury’’ <ref>PlutarchPontus, 36Mithridates IV (135-3763 BC). 3</ref>. The former consul devoted himself to He ruled a powerful kingdom on the cultivation Black Sea coast of the arts modern Turkey and followed his passionswas of Iranian descent. He was a devotee of Latin larger than life figure and Greek literature and he amassed a great library in famed for his villa. He allowed scholars to use cunning, Herculean strength, his library and he patronized many poets brutality and philosophers and this was imitated by other aristocratic Romans. Lucullus was a great builder and he built magnificent parks and villas, whose designs were very influential. During legend in his campaigns in the East, the retired consul was much impressed by the Persian tradition of horticultureown lifetime. With his vast wealth he built a great park in the center of Rome, that became known as the ‘Gardens of Lucullus’ <ref>Keaveney, Arthur: Lucullus. A Life (London/New York: RoutledgeMayor, 1992)Adrienne, p 119</refi>. His gardens was very important in the development of gardening in Europe. The Roman aristocrat was also interested in farming Poison King: The Life and introduced fruits such as the cherry into Legend of Mithradates, Rome and also experimented with aquaculture, especially fish ponds. Lucullus was also famous or infamous for his feasts and was a great gourmet. So renowned was Lucullus for his love of food that he inspired the development of the English adjective Lucullan meaning excessive lover of food 's Deadliest Enemy<ref/i> Keavney(Princeton, PUP, 2009), p 201 14 </ref>. The victor of Tigrancertta was to influence the development of aristocratic culture in Rome. He inspired many members of the elite to abandon the traditional austere Republican lifestyle and to cultivate the arts. Lucullus example encouraged other Roman aristocrats to collect manuscripts, build villas and gardens. Lucullus patronage of the arts was very influential in the development of art and culture in Imperial Rome, especially during the Imperial period. [[File: LUC FOUR.jpg |200px|thumb| Reimagining of the Gardens of Lucullus]]

== Conclusion==Lucullus is not as well known as his contemporaries such as Pompey or even Sulla. However, he was a great general who played a key role in the defeat of one of Rome’s greatest enemies, Mithridates IV The King of Pontus and it was he who more than anyone else end his dreams of Empire. The Roman also effectively ended seized the Armenian Empire and Greek state in doing so may have changed the history Crimea and also subjugated large parts of the Middle EastCaucuses. His victories over the Pontic Mithridates wanted to end Roman influence in his region and Armenian armies allowed Rome to dominate the near eastconquer all of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Pompey was able He decided to conquer Syria and Judaea and reduce Armenia act and ordered the Bosphoran Kingdom to the status massacre of client kingdoms thanks to all the brilliance of LucullusLatins living in Asia Minor and several thousand were murdered. The Roman was not only an important military figure Simultaneously, he invaded Bithynia which was also a significant cultural figure and he helped allied to promote Rome (88 BC). This invasion forced the patronage of Roman Senate to declare war on the arts by aristocratsking. in response, which was crucial in the cultural flourishing of the first century ADPontic monarch gathered a considerable army and invaded Greece.

However, Sulla moved quickly and defeated Mithridates and his allies in two battles and swept the Pontic king’s forces from Europe. Lucullus played a critical role in what became known as the First Mithridatic War, named after Mithridates VI.<ref> Mayor, 119 </ref> Lucullus assembled a navy and defeated the Pontic naval forces and ferried Sulla’s army from Greece into Asia. This amphibious operation persuaded Mithridates to seek an end to the war, and he was granted generous terms by Sulla. Sulla needed to quickly return to Rome because the city was in a state of civil war. Lucullus reputation was enhanced by his key role in the conflict.<ref>Plutarch, 3. 5</ref> ====Third Mithridatic War (73-63 BC)====[[File: Mithridates VI Louvre.jpg |200px|thumb|left| A bust of Mithridates VI as Hercules]]Lucullus held several posts in Rome and its Provinces. His reputation grew because he was a competent and fair administrator. Meanwhile, Mithridates was able to regroup and fought a brief conflict with a Roman general, which is known as the Second Mithridatic war. The balance of power changed in the Roman East when Lucullus became an ally of Tigranes the Great, an Armenian monarch who established a large Empire that ranged from the Caucuses into modern Syria and east into Iraq.  Mithridates once more attacked Roman allies in Asia Minor and quickly overran most of them in 73 AD. Lucullus as consul was sent with his co-consul in 70 BC to deal with the threat. His colleague blundered into a trap in Cynicus and was soon besieged by Mithridates. Lucullus responded quickly and soon surrounded the Pontic monarch’s army and inflicted a massive defeat on his forces. The Pontic monarch retreated into Armenia and went to the court of his ally Tigranes who was also his son-in-law. Lucullus took over the Pontic Kingdom.  After Tigranes refused to hand over the Pontic king, the Romans invaded the Armenian Empire. The Romans besieged the Armenian capital Tigrancerta. The Armenian king who had been quelling a revolt returned to relieve the siege of his capital. Lucullus was outnumbered, and his enemy had assumed a defensive position. The Armenians cataphracts or heavy cavalry were the elite of Tigranes army and superior to the Roman cavalry.<ref> Sherwin-White, Adrian N. (1994). "Lucullus, Pompey, and the East". In J. A. Crook; Andrew Lintott; Elizabeth Rawson. <i>The Cambridge Ancient History IX: The Last Age of the Roman Republic, 146-43 BC</i>. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 241 </ref> Lucullus decided on a daring plan of attack. He ordered his infantry to advance over a hill and attacked the Armenian heavy cavalry in the rear. The Roman army nearly annihilated the cataphracts and the Armenian infantry fled, but they were ridden down by the Roman cavalry. Lucullus has secured a remarkable victory and one that was studied for centuries.<ref>Keaveney, Arthur. <i>Lucullus. A Life</i> (London/New York: Routledge, 1992), p 119</ref> He went on to inflict another crushing defeat on the Armenian king in what is now modern Iraq.  However, Mithridates was extraordinarily resourceful and returned to Pontus where he defeated the Roman garrison at the battle of Zela. Some in Rome blamed Lucullus for this defeat and for his apparent inability to end the conflict. Plutarch in his biography stated that Pompey wanted the command of the army in the war against Mithridates and he conspired with others against Lucullus.<ref>Plutarch, 7, 2</ref>  An ally of Pompey incited a mutiny in the army, and this led to the recall of the man who had won a series of remarkable victories. Pompey took over command of his army, and he secured the final submission of Tigranes. He then advanced into the Caucuses, and Mithridates committed suicide when his son betrayed him. Lucullus returned Rome an extremely wealthy man and was excluded from public life by the Pompeians. He turned his focus away from politics and became a great builder and a patron of the arts who was renowned for his lavish lifestyle.<ref> Sherwin, p 242 </ref> ====Lucullus and the defeat of Mithridates====Mithridates was a formidable foe and incredibly resilient. He smartly took advantage of the endemic divisions within the Roman Republic. In the First and Third Mithridatic War, he posed a grievous threat to Roman influence in the eastern Mediterranean. This was especially true during the Third war between the Pontic king and the Republic because Mithridates had allied with the Roman rebels in Spain.  Lucullus remarkable generalship prevented the Pontic king and his Armenian allies from expelling Rome from the Near East.<ref>Sherwin, p. 245</ref> His victories ensured that Mithridates was all but beaten. The King was able to escape and even able to recapture some of his lands. Lucullus's decisive defeat of the Pontic king reduced the threat posed by Mithridates. He was severely weakened and his alliance with Armenia was over. He only had a small army, and many of his lands were occupied. It was only Mithridates bravery and resourcefulness that allowed him to continue his fight against Rome, but it was Lucullus and not Popey who ended the threat from the Pontic King. Luccullus not only saved Rome in the east but also enabled the Republic to dominate Asia Minor and the Levant for centuries.<ref>Sherwin, p 244</ref> In fact, Roman control of Asia Minor was not again challenged until the 7th century AD. ====How Luccullus's role in the defeat of Armenia permanently weakened it====[[File: 1200px-Armenian Empire.png |300px|thumb|left|300px| The Empire of Tigranes at its greatest extent]]After Tigranes became the king of Armenia, he exploited Parthian and Seleucid weakness and created a vast Empire. He captured Mesopotamia and conquered the remnants of the once mighty Seleucid Empire. Tigranes made Armenia the greatest power in the region, exceding even Parthia. Lucullus defeat of Tigranes weakened the Armenian and much of his newly acquired lands revolted against his rule. He was forced to withdraw from the war with Rome and abandoned his ally, Mithridates.  In the aftermath of Lucullus victory at Tigrancertta, the Armenian Empire collapsed into near anarchy. Pompey allied with the Parthians and as a result, a chastened Armenian became a client kingdom of Rome, which it remained for centuries. This allowed Rome to secure a strategic advantage for itself on its Eastern frontier, until at least the rise of the Sassanian Empire. If Lucullus had not defeated Tigranes, the Armenian Empire might have endured, and this could have changed the history of the Near East. However, there was one unexpected outcome of the defeat of Tigranes, and that was that it allowed Parthia to emerge as the most potent power in the region. It was to become the primary foe of first the Republic and then later the Empire in the East. ====Lucullus and the arts====[[File: LUC FOUR.jpg |300px|thumb|left|Reimagining of the Gardens of Lucullus]]<dh-ad/>The party of Pompey saw Lucullus as a threat and excluded him from public life and he ‘“fell back on a life of ease and luxury.’’<ref>Plutarch, 36-37. 3</ref> The former consul devoted himself to the cultivation of the arts and followed his passions. He was a devotee of Latin and Greek literature and he amassed a great library in his villa. He allowed scholars to use his library and he patronized many poets and philosophers and this was imitated by other aristocratic Romans.  Lucullus was a great builder and he built magnificent parks and villas, whose designs were very influential. During his campaigns in the East, the retired consul was impressed by the Persian tradition of horticulture. With his vast wealth he built a great park in the center of Rome, that became known as the ‘Gardens of Lucullus.’<ref>Keaveney, Arthur: <i>Lucullus. A Life</i> (London/New York: Routledge, 1992), p 119</ref> His gardens were important in the development of gardening in Europe.  The Roman aristocrat was also interested in farming and introduced fruits such as the cherry into Rome and also experimented with aquaculture, especially fish ponds. Lucullus was also famous or infamous for his feasts and was a great gourmet. So renowned was Lucullus for his love of food that he inspired the development of the English adjective Lucullan meaning excessive lover of food.<ref> Keavney, p 201 </ref> The victor of Tigrancertta also influenced the development of aristocratic culture in Rome. He inspired many members of the elite to abandon the traditional austere Republican lifestyle and to cultivate the arts. Lucullus example encouraged other Roman aristocrats to collect manuscripts, build villas and gardens. Lucullus patronage of the arts was very influential in the development of art and culture in Imperial Rome, especially during the Imperial period. ==== Conclusion====Lucullus is not as well known as his contemporaries such as Pompey or even Sulla. However, he was a great general who played a key role in the defeat of one of Rome’s greatest enemies, Mithridates IV of Pontus and it was he who more than anyone else end his dreams of Empire. The Roman also effectively ended the Armenian Empire and in doing so may have changed the history of the Middle East. His victories over the Pontic and Armenian armies allowed Rome to dominate the near east. Pompey was able to conquer Syria and Judaea and reduce Armenia and the Bosphoran Kingdom to the status of client kingdoms thanks to the brilliance of Lucullus. The Roman was not only an important military figure he was also a significant cultural figure whose example encouraged many Roman aristocrats to patronize the arts. ====Further Reading====

====Reference====<references/>{{Contributors}}[[Category:Roman History]][[Category:Wikis]]