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Cambridge Ecce Romani Latin for the New Millennium Wheelock Disce Allen & Greenough None of the above

Quintus Lutatius Catulus

During his consulship, Quintus Catulus was a strong proponent of Sulla.


Plutarch reports that Catulus "was the great Roman of the time in the estimate set upon his wisdom and justice, but was thought better adapted for political than military leadership" (Plutarch, Pompey 16). He was elected consul in 78 BCE with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. Catulus was of the Sullan faction and Lepidus was of the Marian faction. Appian reports that "They hated each other bitterly and began to quarrel immediately, from which it was plain that fresh troubles were imminent" (Civil Wars 105). After the death of Sulla, they quarreled over whether or not his body should be displayed publicly. Later, Lepidus promised that he would restore to the Italians the land that Sulla had taken from them. The Senate made both consuls promise they would not go to war. After his year as governor in Transalpine Gaul, he attempted to march on Rome. Since he was no longer in office, he no longer felt the need to keep his oath. In 77 BCE, Catulus defeated Lepidus near the Campus Martius at the Milvian Bridge.

In 67 and 66BCE, Catulus unsuccessfully opposed the Gabinian and Manilian laws, which conferred special powers upon Pompey. During this time, he also consistently opposed Julius Caesar, thus beginning a fierce rivalry between the two.

Attalus Entry: Quintus Lutatius Catulus4
Smith Entry
Wikipedia Entry



 

Monmouth College