Editing Lucius Mummius Achaicus (section)

==Career==
Almost nothing is known about Lucius Mummius' early career. He won one of the [[praetor]]ships (for 154 BC) during the elections of 155 BC.

===Hispania===
In 154 BC the [[Roman Senate|Senate]] assigned Mummius the task of restoring order in [[Hispania Ulterior]] (Further Spain), which was reeling from a revolt by native Lusitanian (the Lusitanian Rebellion of 155–150 BC). The rebellion was led by the Lusitanian chieftains  [[Punicus]] and [[Caesarus]]. In the initial phases of his campaign he experienced several reverses, but he regrouped and at Ocile he led his army of 9,000 foot and 500 horse in a victorious battle against a numerically superior force of Lusitanians, killing about 15,000 rebels and lifting the siege; his successor, Marcus Atilius, went on to take Oxthracae, the largest city in Lusitania. Mummius was awarded a [[Roman triumph|triumph]] for his victory over the Lusitanians.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The History of Rome, Book 12, The Spanish Wars, chs. 57-58|last=Appian}}</ref>

===Corinth===
Mummius was elected consul for 146 BC. He was appointed to take command of the [[Achaean War]], inheriting the command from [[Quintus Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus|Metellus Macedonicus]]. Having obtained an easy victory over the incapable Achaean leader [[Diaeus]], Mummius entered [[Ancient Corinth | Corinth]] after a victory ([[Battle of Corinth (146 BC)|Battle of Corinth]]) over the defending forces. All the men of Corinth were put to the sword, the women and children were sold into slavery, and the statues, paintings and works of art were seized and shipped to [[Rome]]. Corinth was then reduced to ashes.  However, at least two ancient authors give accounts that suggest Corinth was not completely destroyed.<ref>Cicero in ''[[Tusculanae Quaestiones]]'' 3.53, and Dio Cassius 21.</ref>  The apparently needless cruelty of Mummius in Corinth is explained by [[Theodor Mommsen|Mommsen]] as due to the instructions of the [[Roman Senate|senate]], prompted by the mercantile party, which was eager to dispel a dangerous commercial rival. According to [[Polybius]], Mummius was unable to resist the pressure of those around him.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}<ref name="DillonGarland2005">{{cite book|author1=Matthew Dillon|author2=Lynda Garland|author2-link=Lynda Garland |title=Ancient Rome: From the Early Republic to the Assassination of Julius Caesar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wHEGcPZZmHwC&pg=PA267|year=2005|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-22458-1|pages=267–}}</ref>

In the subsequent settlement of affairs, Mummius exhibited considerable administrative powers and a high degree of justice and integrity, which gained him the respect of the inhabitants.{{dubious|date=January 2025}} He especially abstained from offending their religious sensibilities.{{fact|date=January 2025}} On his return to Rome he was honored with a [[Roman triumph|triumph]],{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} and was the first ''[[novus homo]]'' to receive an [[agnomen]] for military services.<ref>Paterculus, 1.13</ref>

===Censor===
In 142 BC he was [[Roman censor|censor]] with [[Scipio Aemilianus Africanus]], whose severity frequently brought him into collision with his more lenient colleague.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}