6. consobrinus). He was adopted by M. Terentius Varro, and consequently bore
the names of M. TERENTIUS
VARRO
LUCULLUS, M. F. Licinianus Varro; but this, though it would be
strictly according to analogy, is contrary to all the evidence we possess.Onom. Tull. vol. ii. p. 352, and Inscr. Lat. No. 570.) Hence
Cicero, though he designates his consulship as that of M. Terentius and C. Cassius (in Verr. 1.23), elsewhere always calls him M. Lucullus. He was younger than
L. Lucullus, though apparently not by much, as we find both brothers, who were united through
life by the bonds of the most affectionate friendship, joining in the prosecution against the
augur Servilius, with a view to avenge their father's memory, at which time Lucius was still
very young. (Plut. Lucull.
Acad. pr. 2.1, de Prov. Cons.
9). The year of his quaestorship is unknown, but he appears to have held that office under
Sulla, as he was afterwards brought to trial by C. Memmius for illegal acts committed by him
in that capacity by the command of the latter (Civ. 1.92). In B. C. 77) he obtained the
praetorship, in which he distinguished himself greatly by the impartiality with which he
administered justice, and by his efforts to check the lawless habits which had grown up during
the late civil wars (Cic. pro M. Tullio, ยง 8, ed. Orell.). In pro Cluntio, 49; Fast. Capit.). The year of their
joint administration was marked by a law for the distribution of corn among the lower classes,
known as the Lex Terentia et Cassia (Cic. in Verr.
3.70, 5.21). Its precise provisions are, however, unknown.
He appears to have hastened before the expiration of his consulship to the province of
Macedonia, which had fallen to his lot. He was probably desirous to emulate the successes of
his brother, and Macedonia offered a ready field for distinction to a warlike governor, from
the numerous tribes of hostile barbarians, who frequently infested its frontiers with their
incursions. Against these Lucullus now directed his arms, defeated the Dardanians and Bessi in
repeated actions, took their chief towns, and laid waste the whole country from Mount Haemus
to the Danube, putting to the sword or mutilating in a cruel manner all the barbarians that
fell into his hands. Nor did he spare the Greek cities on the Euxine : these had probably
taken some part against Rome, as we learn that he captured in succession the cities of
Apollonia, Callatia, Tomi, and Istrus, besides some others of minor note. On his return to
Rome he was rewarded for these successes by the honour of a triumph, Epit. xcii.; Cic. in Pison. 19;
M. Lucullus was, as well as his brother, a strong supporter of the aristocratic party at
Rome. It was probably to their influence that he was indebted for his appointment in Ib. 37; Pseud. Ascon. ad Cic. Div. in Caecil.
p. 109). From this time forth he bears a prominent place among the feaders of the aristocratic
party or Optimates at Rome; thus we find him in in Cic. p. Cornel. p. 60,
ed. Orell.). Though opposed on this occasion to Cicero, In he was in general a warm friend and
supporter of the great orator, whom he assisted with his counsels in the dangers of the
Catilinarian conspiracy, when both he and his brother were among the first to urge the
execution of the conspirators (in Pison. 31). After the return of
the latter from his exile, Lucullus, both as one of the pontiffs, and afterwards in his place
in the senate, supported him in his demand for the restitution of his house (Cic. pro Dom. 52, de Harusp. Resp. 6). After all these services both to himself
and his party, we cannot wonder that Cicero should designate him as one of the " lights and
ornaments of the republic" (de Prov. Cons. 9). How long he survived his
brother-whose funeral oration he pronounced-is uncertain; the exact date of the death of
either one or the other being nowhere recorded. But we learn from Cicero that he was still
alive in de Prov. Cons. 9), but we hear no more of him after this,
and it seems probable that he did not long survive. It is certain at least that he died before
the commencemnent of the civil war,
We know very little of the character of M. Lucullus, except from the somewhat vague and
general praises of Cicero, who appears disposed to place him on a level with his far more
celebrated brother. The affectionate union which subsisted between the two through life, is
undoubtedly a trait favourable to them both; but if we may judge from the account of the
cruelties committed in his campaign against the Bessi, Marcus was far from possessing the mild
and humane disposition of his elder brother. He is mentioned by Cicero as a speaker of
considerable merit, though not deserving to be styled an orator (Brut.
62). He appears to have participated to some extent also in his brother's love of luxury and
magnificence, though not to such a reprehensible excess. (de R. R. 3.3.10.)
The following persons were probably more or less closely connected with the distinguished family whose members have been above enumerated, but in what manner is unknown.