Crassus

Crassus, the surname of several old Roman families, among which that of the Licinii was most remarkable.—(1) LUCIUS LICINIUS, born in 140 B.C., was the best orator of his age, and was as distinguished for his wit as for his rectitude in the capacity of proconsul of Gaul. In 95 he was elected consul, along with Quintus Scævola, who had been his colleague in all his previous offices. During their consulship was enacted a rigorous law banishing from Rome all who had not the full rights of citizens, which imbittered the feelings of foreigners toward Rome, and was one of the chief causes of the Social War. As censor in 92 Crassus closed all the schools of the rhetoricians, believing that they exercised a bad influence on the minds of young men. He died in 91 B.C., a few days after vigorously opposing in the senate the democratic consul L. Philippus. Crassus is one of the speakers in Cicero's De Oratore, and indeed is the representative of the writer's own opinions.—(2) MARCUS LICINIUS, surnamed Dives, the triumvir, was born sometime before 115 B.C. His father was a partisan of Sulla, and on the return of Marius and Cinna to Rome in 87 made away with himself. Cinna spared the boy's life, but subjected him to a jealous and dangerous surveillance, to escape which he went to Spain. He afterwards joined Sulla (83), and distinguished himself in the battle against the Samnites at the gates of Rome. As prætor he crushed the Servile revolt by the conquest of Spartacus at the battle of Lucania (71), and in the following year was made consul with Pompey, a colleague whom he hated. On the other hand, Cæsar valued the friendship of Crassus, the most wealthy of Roman citizens. He was a keen and far-seeing speculator, and devoted his entire energies to the accumulation of money. We are told that he even bought clever slaves, and had them taught lucrative arts that he might enjoy the profits. During his consulate, Crassus gave a feast to the people, which was spread on 10,000 tables, and distributed to every citizen a provision of corn for three months. Plutarch estimates his wealth at more than 7000 talents, and Pliny states that his lands were worth 8000 talents (say £2,000,000). About 60, Cæsar, Pompey, and Crassus entered into a private arrangement for their common benefit, which pact is known as the first triumvirate. In 55, as consul with Pompey, Crassus had Syria assigned him for his province, and began to make preparations of war against the Parthians, hoping both for glory and for gain. The latter end he effected in the meantime by plundering the towns and temples in Syria. At length, however, he set out, but was misled by a treacherous guide, and utterly defeated in the plains of Mesopotamia by the Parthians. Crassus now retreated to the town of Carrhæ, intending to pass into Armenia; but was beguiled into a conference with the Parthian general, Surenas, and was slain at the appointed place of meeting. His head was cut off and sent to Orodes, who is said to have poured melted gold into the dead lips, saying: 'Sate thyself now with that of which in life thou wert so greedy.' His quæstor, Cassius, with 500 cavalry, escaped into Syria; but the remaining Romans were scattered and made prisoners, or put to death.