Lucius Aemilius Regillus
Encyclopedia
Lucius Aemilius Regillus (fl. c. 190-189 BC) was a Roman admiral and praetor
during the war with Antiochus III of Syria
.
Born to Marcus Aemilius Regillus, much of Lucius Regillus's early life and military career is unknown before being appointed commander of Roman naval forces in the Aegean Sea
in 190 BC. That same year, supported by a flotilla from Rhodes
, Regillus successfully defeated a Syrian fleet commanded by former Carthaginian General Hannibal Barca
(his first, and subsequently last naval battle) at the Battle of Eurymedon and, after defeating a second Syrian fleet at the Battle of Myonessus
secured the Aegean Sea under the control of Rome and its Rhodian and Pergamene allies. Upon his return to Rome in 189 BC, Regillus had a temple built in honor of the lares permarini
whom he had reportedly promised in return for the Roman victory.
Praetor
Praetor was a title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to men acting in one of two official capacities: the commander of an army, usually in the field, or the named commander before mustering the army; and an elected magistratus assigned varied duties...
during the war with Antiochus III of Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
.
Born to Marcus Aemilius Regillus, much of Lucius Regillus's early life and military career is unknown before being appointed commander of Roman naval forces in the Aegean Sea
Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea[p] is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea located between the southern Balkan and Anatolian peninsulas, i.e., between the mainlands of Greece and Turkey. In the north, it is connected to the Marmara Sea and Black Sea by the Dardanelles and Bosporus...
in 190 BC. That same year, supported by a flotilla from Rhodes
Rhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
, Regillus successfully defeated a Syrian fleet commanded by former Carthaginian General Hannibal Barca
Hannibal Barca
Hannibal, son of Hamilcar Barca Hannibal's date of death is most commonly given as 183 BC, but there is a possibility it could have taken place in 182 BC. was a Carthaginian military commander and tactician. He is generally considered one of the greatest military commanders in history...
(his first, and subsequently last naval battle) at the Battle of Eurymedon and, after defeating a second Syrian fleet at the Battle of Myonessus
Battle of Myonessus
The naval Battle of Myonessus was fought in 190 BC during the war of Rome against Antiochus III the Great for the domination over Greece, between a Seleucid Empire fleet and a Roman plus Rhodian fleet. The Romans were victorious.The account of Appian:...
secured the Aegean Sea under the control of Rome and its Rhodian and Pergamene allies. Upon his return to Rome in 189 BC, Regillus had a temple built in honor of the lares permarini
Lares Permarini
Lares Permarini was a Roman temple , of the Lares who protect sailors, in the campus Martius.It was vowed by the praetor, L. Aemilius Regillus, while engaged in a naval battle with the fleet of Antiochus the Great in 190 B.C., and dedicated by M. Aemilius Lepidus, when censor, on 22 December, 179....
whom he had reportedly promised in return for the Roman victory.