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Quintus Mucius Scaevola AugurConsul of Ancient Rome 117 BC
Date of Birth: .
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Quintus Mucius Scaevola: A Roman Statesman and Legal Luminary
- Political Career
- Legal Expertise
- Notable Students
- Later Life and Influence
- Intellectual Pursuits
- Family and Legacy
Quintus Mucius Scaevola: A Roman Statesman and Legal Luminary
Early Life and FamilyQuintus Mucius Scaevola, born around 170 BCE into the patrician Mucius family, was the son of Quintus Mucius Scaevola, a former praetor. The family's claim to descent from the legendary Gaius Mucius Cordus, who burned his right hand before Porsenna and gained the cognomen "Scaevola" (Left-Handed), was likely apocryphal.
Political Career
Despite his aristocratic lineage, Scaevola's political advancement was relatively slow. He served as quaestor around 140 BCE and was elected tribune of the plebs in 128 BCE. As aedile in 125 BCE, he prosecuted Lucius Septumuuleius for receiving a reward for Gaius Gracchus' head.
In 120 BCE, Scaevola was appointed governor of Asia. While in Athens, he encountered the rhetorician Apollonius Alabandensis and had a humorous exchange with the eques Titus Albucius, who later accused him of extortion. Scaevola successfully defended himself in court, which cleared the way for his election as consul in 117 BCE.
Legal Expertise
Scaevola was renowned for his legal scholarship. He is credited with introducing philosophical concepts into Roman jurisprudence and was considered an authority on civil law. He did not teach formally but provided free legal advice to anyone seeking it.
Notable Students
Among Scaevola's students were his future son-in-law, Lucius Licinius Crassus, and the young Marcus Tullius Cicero. Cicero later wrote extensively about Scaevola in his treatises, portraying him as a source of profound wisdom.
Later Life and Influence
After his consulship, Scaevola played a significant role in the Roman Senate. His influence was such that his son-in-law, Lucius Licinius Crassus, would avoid the Forum in his presence during elections out of respect. In 100 BCE, the ailing Scaevola participated in the armed suppression of the populist tribune Lucius Appuleius Saturninus.
Scaevola's political fortunes were intertwined with those of his son-in-law, Crassus. He opposed Sulla's declaration of Marius as an enemy in 88 BCE and assisted Marius' son in obtaining supplies for his escape to Africa.
Intellectual Pursuits
In his youth, Scaevola studied philosophy under Panaetius of Rhodes. He was also a renowned orator, despite not pursuing a public speaking career. His eloquence was praised by Gaius Lucilius.
Family and Legacy
Scaevola was married to Laelia Major, daughter of the consul Gaius Laelius Sapiens. They had two daughters, one of whom married Lucius Licinius Crassus and the other married Manius Acilius Glabrio. His granddaughters, the Liciniae, married Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica and Gaius Marius Minor, making Scaevola a great-grandfather of the Pompeian general Metellus Scipio.
Scaevola's memory was preserved in the writings of Cicero, Gaius Lucilius, and the historical novel "The Grass Crown" by Colleen McCullough. He remains an important figure in Roman legal and political history.
