LUCULLUS.

Lucullus's grandfather had been consul ; his uncle by the mother's sister was Metellus, surnamed Nuinidicus. As for his parents, his father was convicted of extortion, and his mother Cecilia's reputation was bad. The first thing that Lucullus did before ever he stood for any office, or meddled with the affairs of state, being then* but a youth, was, to accuse the accuser of his father, Servilius the au- gur, having caught him in an offence against the state. This thing was much taken notice of among the Romans, who commended it as an act of high merit. Even with- out the provocation, the accusation was esteemed no unbecoming action, for they delighted to see young men as eagerly attacking injustice, as good dogs do wild beasts. But when great animosities ensued, insomuch that some were wounded and killed in the fray, Ser- vilius escaped. Lucullus followed his studies, and be- came a competent speaker, in both Greek and Latin, insomuch that Sylla, when composing the commentaries of his own life and actions, dedicated them to him, as one who could have performed the task better himself. His speech was not only elegant and ready for purposes (227)