Lucius Caecilius Metellus (consul 251 BC)
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Lucius Caecilius Metellus (c. 290 BC – 221 BC) was the son of Lucius Caecilius Metellus Denter. He was consul in 251 BC and 247 BC, Pontifex Maximus beginning about 243 BC and Dictator in 224 BC.[1]
In 250 BC, his consular powers were prorogued; then, as proconsul, he defeated the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal at the celebrated Battle of Panormus, a turning point of the First Punic War which led to Roman domination of Sicily. In that battle, after which he received the Honours of the Triumph, he defeated thirteen enemy generals and captured one hundred and twenty elephants, some of which he exhibited to the Roman people.[2]
In this battle, so decisive for Rome, the Carthaginian advantage was subdued by luring the enemy to terrain where staked ditches had been dug. This, coupled with the element of surprise and a quick counter-attack, allowed the Roman infantry to rout the attacking Carthaginians.
While Metellus was Pontifex Maximus, a fire destroyed the Temple of Vesta and threatened to destroy the Palladium and other sacred objects. Lucius Caecilius Metellus, without hesitating, threw himself amidst the flames and reappeared with the tutelary symbol of the first Rome. However, his eyes were badly injured by the intense heat and he went blind, for which the Senate granted him the privilege of going by chariot to the Curia. In memory of that noble achievement of their ancestor, the Caecilii started to mint the image of Pallas on their consular coins.
He was the father of Lucius Caecilius Metellus, Quintus Caecilius Metellus and Marcus Caecilius Metellus.
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Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Gaius Aurelius Cotta Publius Servilius Geminus | Consul of the Roman Republic with Gaius Furius Pacilus 251 BC | Succeeded by Gaius Atilius Regulus Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus |
Preceded by Gaius Aurelius Cotta Publius Servilius Geminus | Consul of the Roman Republic with Numerius Fabius Buteo 247 BC | Succeeded by Manius Otacilius Crassus Marcus Fabius Licinus |
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- 715 BC: Numa Marcius
- 509 BC: C. Papirius
- 449 BC: Q. Furius
- 431 BC: A. Cornelius Cossus
- 420 BC: S. Minucius
- 390 BC: M. Fabius Ambustus
- 332 BC: P. Cornelius Calussa
- 304 BC: P. Cornelius Scipio Barbatus
- 254 BC: Ti. Coruncanius
- 243 BC: L. Caecilius Metellus
- 221 BC: L. Cornelius Lentulus Caudinus
- 213 BC: M. Cornelius Cethegus
- 212 BC: P. Licinius Crassus Dives
- 180 BC: M. Aemilius Lepidus
- 150 BC: P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica Corculum
- 141 BC: P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica Serapio
- 132 BC: P. Licinius Crassus Dives Mucianus
- 130 BC: P. Mucius Scaevola
- 114 BC: L. Caecilius Metellus Delmaticus
- 103 BC: Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus
- 89 BC: Q. Mucius Scaevola
- 81 BC: Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius
- 63 BC: C. Julius Caesar
- 44 BC: M. Aemilius Lepidus
- 12 BC: Imp. Caesar Augustus
- 12 BC – AD 375: Held by the emperors.