Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus
Roman Consul and General
Biography
Lucius Aemilius Paullus was born into one of the most ancient and aristocratic patrician families in Rome. His father was the consul of the same name who died heroically at the Battle of Cannae during the Second Punic War. Paullus inherited his family's strict adherence to traditional Roman virtues and discipline.
His political and military career was marked by competence and integrity. He served as curule aedile, praetor, and consul (twice). In his first consulship (182 BC), he campaigned successfully against the Ligurians. However, his greatest achievement came during his second consulship in 168 BC, when he was appointed to command the Roman forces in the Third Macedonian War, which had been dragging on indecisively.
Paullus quickly restored discipline to the Roman army and engaged King Perseus at Pydna. The battle was a decisive Roman victory, showcasing the flexibility of the Roman legion against the Macedonian phalanx. Following the victory, he oversaw the settlement of Macedonian affairs, earning the agnomen 'Macedonicus'.
Paullus was known for his philhellenism (love of Greek culture) but also for his incorruptibility. Despite the immense wealth captured from Macedon, he kept little for himself. He died in 160 BC, widely respected as a model of the old Roman aristocracy.