Aulus Postumius Albinus (Legacy)

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Aulus Postumius Albinus came from the Roman noble family of Postumier and served 110-109 BC. As a legacy of his brother Spurius Postumius Albinus in the war against the Numidian king Jugurtha .

Life

It cannot be proven from which older Postumii Albini Postumius descended. He accompanied his brother Spurius to his consulate in 110 BC. On the campaign against Jugurtha. He assumed command of the troops in late autumn that year when his brother went to Rome to lead the consular elections for the next year . But the free choice of the new consuls was delayed due to arguments. During the long absence of his brother, Postumius was tempted to attempt an attack on the city of Suthul in winter (early 109 BC) because the wealth of the Numidian king was kept there. As the city could not be conquered immediately, Postumius proceeded to siege it. But Jugurtha managed to lure the Romans away from Suthul and let them fall into a trap. Postumius then had to capitulate. After a personal interview with Jugurtha, Postumius was compelled to agree to a very humiliating withdrawal plan for Rome: the legions had to leave Numidia within ten days.

The Senate in Rome did not accept the terms of the contract imposed by Jugurtha and brought a lawsuit against Postumius, his brother and others who were guilty of the slow course of the war against Numidia. Although Postumius' condemnation is not specifically attested, it must have taken place because it is proven that his brother suffered this fate. In research it is controversial whether Postumius with the consul of the same name from the year 99 BC Is to be identified.

literature

Remarks

  1. ^ Sallust , Jugurthinischer Krieg 36, 4; 37, 3.
  2. ^ Sallust, Jugurthinischer Krieg 37, 3.
  3. ^ Sallust, Jugurthinischer Krieg 38, 1–8; instead of the battle shifted from Sallust near the city of Suthul, Orosius (5, 15, 6) gives the location: apud Calamum urbem ; the location of this location is not known.
  4. ^ Sallust, Jugurthinischer Krieg 38, 9f .; Livy , periochae 64; among others
  5. ↑ Friedrich Münzer opposed the equation . On the other hand, Thomas Robert Shannon Broughton , The magistrates of the Roman republic , Vol. 3, Supplement (1986), p. 173, assumed that the legacy was 110 BC. And the consul in 99 BC Are one and the same person.
personal data
SURNAME Postumius Albinus, Aulus
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Albinus, Aulus Postumius
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Roman general
DATE OF BIRTH 2nd century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 2nd century BC BC or 1st century BC Chr.