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Lucullus
Plutarch (46-120) - Greek biographer, historian, and philosopher,
sometimes known as the encyclopaedist of antiquity. He is most
renowned for his series of character studies, arranged mostly in
pairs, known as “Plutarch’s Lives of the Noble Grecians and
Romans” or “Parallel Lives.”
Lucullus (75 AD) - A study of the life of the Roman general, Lucullus.
sometimes known as the encyclopaedist of antiquity. He is most
renowned for his series of character studies, arranged mostly in
pairs, known as “Plutarch’s Lives of the Noble Grecians and
Romans” or “Parallel Lives.”
Lucullus (75 AD) - A study of the life of the Roman general, Lucullus.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2011
About the author
Plutarch
4,378 books1,023 followersPlutarch (later named, upon becoming a Roman citizen, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus; AD 46–AD 120) was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist, known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia. He is classified as a Middle Platonist. Plutarch's surviving works were written in Greek, but intended for both Greek and Roman readers.
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
December 11, 2018
The Master of Armenia
10 December 2018 – Sunshine Coast
I think I can see why Plutarch decided to compare Lucullus to Cimon – both of them made huge conquests across Anatolia, though if it came to a contest then Lucullus would win hands down namely because he went as far as Armenia, or at least ancient Armenia, which was much bigger that it happens to be today. Then again, Magna Greacia was also much bigger than what it happens to be today, and if Greece were to truly take back what they originally had settled, then that would include Libya, parts of Sicily, as well as Southern Italy and Anatolia, or at least the Western section – for some reason I don’t think that is going to happen.
Anyway, one of the interesting things that popped out at me was that during the early stages of his career he conquered Crete. Apparently, Crete was nothing like it was back in the days of King Minos – then again back in the days of King Minos Crete literally controlled the Eastern Mediterranean. However, it was basically now a shadow of its former glory, namely ruled by warring tribes. Well, Lucullus put a stop to that and established it under the principles of Plato.
It actually makes me wonder to what extent the teachings of Plato were really applied when it came to establishing governments? Obviously Plato wasn’t a big fan of democracies, but it appears that quite a lot of others were. Yet Plato was clearly held in high regard in the Ancient World, and even to today (though some people will basically write him off because they take the opinion that history is bunk, and anybody who was writing two and a half thousand years ago really shouldn’t be considered seriously). Well, Lucullus seemed to consider him seriously enough to establish a government in Greece based upon his principles.
Then there are the pirates that he encountered when he travelled to Egypt. Apparently he pretty much just escaped with his life. Seriously, how powerful were these Pirates that they would completely decimate the navy of a Roman commander. I always thought Pirates simply sailed around in, well, only one boat, but it sounds as if there was a whole fleet to deal with. I never realised that Pirates had a fleet, but then again apparently Mark Antony needed a fleet to deal with them, despite the fact that pirates, well, aren’t a country, or a city state. Then, maybe pirates are simply people who travel around the seas plundering, pillaging, and doing other dirty deeds that such people tend to do.
However, it was Lucullus’ triumphs in Anatolia that really earned his name, to the point that this tactics are still studied today, which also makes me wonder to what extent they are known, since in pretty much every case involving a battle in the Ancient World you have to go on the description of the writer, though I would have more faith in, say, Plutarch than somebody like Herodotus, who is well known for his exaggerations. However, his success, and the loot that be brought back, meant that Rome ended up with more money than they knew what to do with, so Lucullus basically used it to build up the city by producing public works, and even a library and school of philosophy.
I should finish off with discussing Armenia, namely because that land is apparently where my ancestors came from. I say ancestors because I am like fifth, or sixth, generation Australian. However, Armenia is a very, very ancient land, and apparently the oldest Christian country in existence. In fact, apparently it was the first country to convert to Christianity. Then again, it is a shadow of its former self, having been occupied by numerous countries throughout its history. Yet its history, and the fact that it stood up against the might of Rome, does impress me somewhat, but then again, they weren’t the only country to stand up against Rome, particularly since Rome was forever expanding its borders.
10 December 2018 – Sunshine Coast
I think I can see why Plutarch decided to compare Lucullus to Cimon – both of them made huge conquests across Anatolia, though if it came to a contest then Lucullus would win hands down namely because he went as far as Armenia, or at least ancient Armenia, which was much bigger that it happens to be today. Then again, Magna Greacia was also much bigger than what it happens to be today, and if Greece were to truly take back what they originally had settled, then that would include Libya, parts of Sicily, as well as Southern Italy and Anatolia, or at least the Western section – for some reason I don’t think that is going to happen.
Anyway, one of the interesting things that popped out at me was that during the early stages of his career he conquered Crete. Apparently, Crete was nothing like it was back in the days of King Minos – then again back in the days of King Minos Crete literally controlled the Eastern Mediterranean. However, it was basically now a shadow of its former glory, namely ruled by warring tribes. Well, Lucullus put a stop to that and established it under the principles of Plato.
It actually makes me wonder to what extent the teachings of Plato were really applied when it came to establishing governments? Obviously Plato wasn’t a big fan of democracies, but it appears that quite a lot of others were. Yet Plato was clearly held in high regard in the Ancient World, and even to today (though some people will basically write him off because they take the opinion that history is bunk, and anybody who was writing two and a half thousand years ago really shouldn’t be considered seriously). Well, Lucullus seemed to consider him seriously enough to establish a government in Greece based upon his principles.
Then there are the pirates that he encountered when he travelled to Egypt. Apparently he pretty much just escaped with his life. Seriously, how powerful were these Pirates that they would completely decimate the navy of a Roman commander. I always thought Pirates simply sailed around in, well, only one boat, but it sounds as if there was a whole fleet to deal with. I never realised that Pirates had a fleet, but then again apparently Mark Antony needed a fleet to deal with them, despite the fact that pirates, well, aren’t a country, or a city state. Then, maybe pirates are simply people who travel around the seas plundering, pillaging, and doing other dirty deeds that such people tend to do.
However, it was Lucullus’ triumphs in Anatolia that really earned his name, to the point that this tactics are still studied today, which also makes me wonder to what extent they are known, since in pretty much every case involving a battle in the Ancient World you have to go on the description of the writer, though I would have more faith in, say, Plutarch than somebody like Herodotus, who is well known for his exaggerations. However, his success, and the loot that be brought back, meant that Rome ended up with more money than they knew what to do with, so Lucullus basically used it to build up the city by producing public works, and even a library and school of philosophy.
I should finish off with discussing Armenia, namely because that land is apparently where my ancestors came from. I say ancestors because I am like fifth, or sixth, generation Australian. However, Armenia is a very, very ancient land, and apparently the oldest Christian country in existence. In fact, apparently it was the first country to convert to Christianity. Then again, it is a shadow of its former self, having been occupied by numerous countries throughout its history. Yet its history, and the fact that it stood up against the might of Rome, does impress me somewhat, but then again, they weren’t the only country to stand up against Rome, particularly since Rome was forever expanding its borders.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review