Lucullus, of plebeian birth, first distinguished himself in the Social
War, where he gained the favor of Sulla, and accompanied him, as
Quaestor, in his campaign against Mithradátes in 88. With Cotta he was
chosen to the consulship in 74. The province of Cilicia was assigned
to him, Bithynia to Cotta. Mithradátes invaded Bithynia, defeated
Cotta, and besieged him at Chalcédon.

Lucullus, after reorganizing and disciplining his army, went to the
aid of his colleague, drove the king into Pontus, and defeated him at
Cabíra in 72, and his fleet at Tenedos in 71, compelling him to take
refuge with his son-in-law, TIGRÁNES, King of Armenia.

Lucullus endeavored to work reforms in the administration of
provincial governments in the East. The revenues of the provinces were
farmed out, and the measures of Lucullus were intended to protect the
tax-payers against the tax-gatherers (_publicani_). His reforms
met with bitter opposition at Rome, especially from the Equites, whose
chief source of income was often this same tax-farming. Intrigues
against him by persons sent from Rome began to create dissatisfaction
among his troops. He had been a severe disciplinarian, and so it was
all the easier to turn the soldiers against him.

In 68 he won a victory over Tigránes and Mithradátes, at the river
Arsanias; but his legions refused to follow him farther, and he was
obliged to lead them into winter quarters in Mesopotamia. The next
year his soldiers again mutinied, and he was replaced by Pompey.

Returning to Rome, Lucullus spent the rest of his days in retirement,
dying about 57. He was very rich, and was famed for the luxurious