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Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus

Background

Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus was a prominent Roman statesman and military commander who served as consul and played significant roles in various military campaigns of the Roman Republic. Here is an overview of his life and career:

Early Life and Background

• Birth: The exact birthdate of Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus is not well-documented, but he belonged to the patrician Manlia gens, a prestigious and ancient Roman family.
• Family: The Manlia family had a long history of public service and military leadership, with several members serving as consuls and other high-ranking officials.

Political and Military Career

• Consulship (256 BCE): Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus first served as consul in 256 BCE during the First Punic War. His colleague in this consulship was Marcus Atilius Regulus.

  • African Campaign: As consul, Vulso and Regulus led a Roman invasion of North Africa, intending to bring the war to Carthaginian territory and force Carthage to surrender. They initially achieved significant success, capturing and plundering several Carthaginian cities.
  • Naval Engagements: During this campaign, the Roman fleet won a major naval battle at Ecnomus, one of the largest naval battles of antiquity, which allowed them to land in Africa.

• First Punic War (264-241 BCE): Vulso played a crucial role in the Roman efforts against Carthage during the First Punic War, particularly in the African campaign.

  • Joint Command with Regulus: Vulso and Regulus landed near Carthage and secured several victories, causing alarm in the Carthaginian capital. However, Vulso returned to Rome after his consulship, leaving Regulus in command of the Roman forces in Africa.
  • Roman Defeat and Regulus' Capture: After Vulso's departure, Regulus was eventually defeated and captured by the Carthaginian forces, led by the Spartan mercenary commander Xanthippus.

• Second Consulship (250 BCE): Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus was elected consul again in 250 BCE, serving alongside Gaius Atilius Regulus Serranus.

  • Siege of Lilybaeum: During his second consulship, Vulso was involved in the prolonged and challenging Siege of Lilybaeum, a crucial Carthaginian stronghold in western Sicily. The siege was marked by intense fighting and a determined defense by the Carthaginian garrison.
  • Naval Battles: The Roman fleet, under Vulso's command, faced several naval engagements during this period, contributing to the broader Roman strategy to dominate the sea and cut off Carthaginian supply lines.

Legacy

• Military Contributions: Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus is remembered for his military leadership during a critical phase of the First Punic War. His efforts in the African campaign demonstrated Rome's growing ambition and capability to project power beyond the Italian Peninsula.
• Political Career: His multiple consulships reflect his significant influence and standing within the Roman Republic. The Manlia gens continued to be prominent in Roman politics and military affairs.

Significance

• African Campaign: The African campaign, although ultimately unsuccessful in securing a quick end to the war, showcased Roman military initiative and the strategic shift to offensive operations against Carthage.
• Impact on the First Punic War: The battles and sieges in which Vulso participated were crucial in weakening Carthage's position and contributing to the eventual Roman victory in the First Punic War, which established Rome as a dominant naval power in the Mediterranean.

Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus exemplified the qualities of Roman leadership during the Republic's expansionist phase, combining military prowess with political acumen to advance Rome's interests in its early conflicts with Carthage.

Bibliography

Broughton, Robert S. "Candidates Defeated in Roman Elections." Transactions of the American Philosophical Society 81 (1991).

Dupuy, Trevor N. Harper Encyclopedia of Military Biography. Chicago: Book Sales, Incorporated, 1995.

Frank, Tenney. "Notes on Plautus." The American Journal of Philology 58 (1937).

Goldsworthy, Adrian. The Punic Wars. London: Cassell, 2000.

Salowey, Christina A. Great Lives from History the Ancient World. Pasadena, CA: Salem, 2004.

Walbank, F. W. The Rise of the Roman Empire. Trans. Ian Scott-Kilvert. New York: Penguin Classics, 1979.