Lucius Valerius Flaccus (consul 86 BC)

Lucius Valerius Flaccus (died 85 BC) became suffect consul of the Roman Republic in 86 BC when Gaius Marius, the consul prior (leading consul), unexpectedly died. He was elected to complete Marius's term in office. Marius had fought a series of civil wars against Lucius Cornelius Sulla, both leaders of their respective factions: the populares and the optimates. Flaccus was considered a staunch supporter of Marius and Lucius Cornelius Cinna; the leaders of the Marian-Cinna faction within the populares. Cinna was Marius's consular collegae and succeeded Marius as faction leader.

In 85 BC, Flaccus was assigned the governorship of the Roman province of Asia and the command of the war against Mithridates VI of Pontus. He mustered two legions and marched towards his province through Northern-Macedonia and Thrace. He was murdered at Nicomedia during a mutiny fomented by one of his senior subordinates, Gaius Flavius Fimbria.

Flaccus is also known for the Lex Valeria de aere alieno, his legislation on debt reform during the Roman economic crisis of the 80s BC. This legislation resolved the pressing economic crisis to the benefit of debtors by cancelling three-quarters of all outstanding debts, to the great disadvantage of their creditors.^[1]