Manius Aquillius (consul 101 BC)
Manius Aquillius (died 88 BC) was a
Working for Marius
Aquillius was a loyal follower of Gaius Marius. He served Marius as a legate (104-102 BC) during Marius's campaign against the Cimbri and Teutones in Gaul. In 103 BC, while Marius was in Rome for his election campaign (running for his fourth consulship), Aquillius was left in command of the army in case the migrating Cimbri and Teutones invaded before Marius could return to command the army himself.
Aquae Sextiae
Manius Aquillius fought with the Roman army of Gaius Marius defeating the Teutones and Ambrones at the Battle of Aquae Sextiae. As one of Marius's legates, Aquillius shared in the glory and prestige earned through their victory. He would capitalize on his military success when he ran for consul.
Consulship and Sicily
As a reward for his loyal services, Gaius Marius ran with Aquillius under a joint ticket for the
Mithridates and death
In 90 BC, Aquillius was sent as ambassador to
Aquillius marched with one legion of
Aquillius was eventually executed by Mithridates by having molten gold poured down his throat.[6] The method of execution became famous and, according to some unreliable accounts,[7] was repeated by Parthian contemporaries to kill Marcus Licinius Crassus who was at the time the richest man in Rome and a member of the First Triumvirate.[6]
Notes
- , In Verrem iii. 54, v. 2; Fasti Capitolini.
- ^ Cicero, Brutus 52, De Officiis ii. 14, pro Plancio. 39, de Oratore. 28,47.
- ^ J. Hind, 'Mithridates', in Cambridge Ancient History, Volume IX (1994), pp. 143–4
- ^ a b Lynda Telford, Sulla: A Dictator Reconsidered, p. 116.
- Pro Lege Manilia5 ; Athen. v. p. 213, b.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-691-12683-8.
- ^ Nuwer, Rachel. "Here's What Actually Happens During an Execution by Molten Gold". smithsonian.com. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
References
- Life of Marius by Plutarch
- Smith, William (editor); Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, "Aquillius (2)", Boston, (1867)
- Mayor, Adrienne (2010). The Poison King The Life and Legend of Mithradates, p. 166-171. Princeton University Press, New Jersey. ISBN 978-0-691-12683-8.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Aquillius". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.