Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2019) |
Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus was a Roman general and statesman, who served as
Career
During Lucius’ mature life, he ran for the consulate several times, succeeding twice. On both occasions he ended up leading military expeditions. The term for being consul was one year. Two consuls ruled at a time and one could serve up to two terms. It was the consuls’ job to govern provinces, lead armies in major wars, and run the Senate and assemblies.
He ran in 259 BC, but lost to
The
During his second term in 250 BC, with
The Romans lost to the Carthaginians' unexpected attacks. The Carthaginians sailed 50 ships from Africa under the command of Hannibal to try to save the city by charging towards the center of the harbor. The Romans did not attempt to stop the entry of the fleet because of their sudden appearance and unfavorable winds in a foreign port. Soon after, battles between the armies broke out and eventually the Carthaginians retreated and the Romans maintained their
Death
Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus died in 216 BC. Nothing is known about how he died. Since he died in 216 BC, this means that he lived for around 83 years, since one had to be around 40 years old to run for consul and the first time he ran was in 259 BC. It is probable that he died from natural causes, since he was around 83 years old, which was very old for someone living in Ancient Rome. Assuming this is correct, his birth would be somewhere around 300 BC.
Analysis of contributions
Throughout the years, Lucius Manlius has generally been accepted as yet another consul who helped in military victories. In the Battle of Cape Ecnomus, his command skills were essential in saving the transport ships, which allowed the Romans to pursue a follow-up attack at Aspis. In his second term, he brought the army into an improved and positive state of mind through building a new fleet and recruiting many sailors, even after the losses at Lilybaeum.
Bibliography
- Broughton, Robert S. "Candidates Defeated in Roman Elections." Transactions of the American Philosophical Society 81 (1991).
- Dupuy, Trevor N. Harper Encyclopedia of Military Biography. Chicago: Book Sales, Incorporated, 1995.
- Frank, Tenney. "Notes on Plautus." The American Journal of Philology 58 (1937).
- Goldsworthy, Adrian. The Punic Wars. London: Cassell, 2000.
- Salowey, Christina A. Great Lives from History the Ancient World. Pasadena, CA: Salem, 2004.
- Walbank, F. W. The Rise of the Roman Empire. Trans. Ian Scott-Kilvert. New York: Penguin Classics, 1979.
References
- ^ Polybius, The Histories, 1.25.7, 1.25.9, 1.26.7, 1.26.8.