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Lucullus, Lucius Licinius c.110-57BC
Roman soldier

His origins were humble, but after service with Sulla he commanded the fleet in the First Mithridatic War (88BC). As consul he defeated Mithridates in the Third Mithridatic War (74), and introduced reforms into Asia Minor. He twice defeated Tigranes of Armenia (69 and 68), but his legions became mutinous, and he was superseded by Pompey (66). He attempted to check Pompey's power, and was one of the first triumvirate, but soon withdrew from politics. He had become very wealthy and spent the rest of his life in such luxury that the term 'Lucullan' has been used as an epithet for extravagant food. He was a notable patron of writers and artists.