Family and Early Career
Lucullus was a member of the prominent gens Licinia, and of the family, or stirps of the Luculli, which may have been descended from the ancient nobility of Tusculum. He was grandson of Lucius Licinius Lucullus (Consul c.151), and son of Lucius Lucullus (Praetor c.104), who was convicted for embezzlement in 102/1 from his Sicilian command of 103-2.
The family of his mother Caecilia Metella (born c.137 BC) was one of the most powerful of the plebeian nobilitas, and was at the height of its success and influence in the last quarter of the 2nd century BC when Lucullus was born. She was the youngest child of Lucius Caecilius Metellus Calvus (Consul 142 and Censor 115-14), and half-sister of two of the most important members of the Optimates of their time, Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus (Cons. 109, Censor 102), and Lucius Caecilius Metellus Dalmaticus (Cons. 119 and Pontifex Maximus), who was the father of Sulla's third wife Caecilia Metella.
His first known military service was as tribune of soldiers serving in Sulla's army in Campania during the bellum Italicum (Social War (91–88 BC)), when he is said to have distinguished himself for daring and intelligence.
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