Lucius Postumius Megellus | |
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Consul of the Roman Republic | |
In office January 305 BC – December 305 BC Serving with Tiberius Minucius Augurinus | |
Preceded by | Quintus Marcius Tremulus and Publius Cornelius Arvina |
Succeeded by | Publius Sempronius Sophus and Publius Sulpicius Saverrio |
In office January 294 BC – December 294 BC Serving with Marcus Atilius Regulus | |
Preceded by | Quintus Fabius Maximus Rullianus and Publius Decius Mus |
Succeeded by | Lucius Papirius Cursor and Spurius Carvilius Maximus |
In office January 291 BC – December 291 BC Serving with Gaius Junius Bubulcus Brutus | |
Preceded by | Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges and Decimus Junius Brutus Scaeva |
Succeeded by | Publius Cornelius Rufinus and Manius Curius Dentatus |
Personal details | |
Born | c. 345 BC |
Died | c. 260 BC |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Battles/wars | Second Samnite War * Battle of Bovianum Third Samnite War * Battle of Aquilonia Siege of Cominium |
Lucius Postumius Megellus (c. 345 BC – c. 260 BC) was a politician and general during the middle years of the Roman Republic. Reportedly an arrogant and overbearing man, he was elected consul in 305 BC. The Second Samnite War was ongoing, and as consul he led troops against the Samnites. He defeated them at the Battle of Bovianum and took the town of Bovianum, which caused the Samnites to sue for peace, ending the war. Megellus was awarded a triumph.
Six years later the Third Samnite War broke out. Megellus again served in a senior role, but saw little fighting and after a year his army was disbanded. In 294 he was elected consul for a second time. He led a consular army but was defeated, wounded and driven away. Recovering he led out another army and captured two towns. He then celebrated a second triumph in defiance of the senate's wishes. Only his subsequent participation in the victorious Battle of Aquilonia prevented his prosecution.
Two years later, as the war was drawing to a close, Megellus held the office which oversaw the consular elections. He exploited this to have himself elected consul, in spite of the law requiring a ten-year gap. Amidst furious arguments with his fellow consul, one of the previous year's consuls and the senate he carried the Siege of Cominium to a successful conclusion. With the war all but over he returned to Rome demanding a third triumph. This was refused, and when he left office he was tried for malfeasance and given an enormous fine.
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