Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus

Who is Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus?

Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus was a lineal descendant and great-grandson of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus, consul 190 BC, who was victor of the Battle of Magnesia.

Scipio Asiaticus, also known as Scipio Asiagenes, was co-consul with Gaius Norbanus in 83 BC.

This Asiaticus is first mentioned in 100 BC, when he took up arms with the other members of the senate against Lucius Appuleius Saturninus. In the Social War he was stationed with L. Acilius in the town of Aesernia, from which they escaped on the approach of Vettius Scato in the dress of slaves. He belonged to the Marian party in Sulla's first civil war and Sulla's second civil war. He was appointed consul in 83 BC with Gaius Norbanus. In this year Lucius Cornelius Sulla returned to the Italian Peninsula, and advanced against the consuls. He defeated Norbanus in Italy, but seduced the troops of Scipio to desert their general.

He was taken prisoner in his camp along with his son Lucius, but was dismissed by Sulla uninjured. He was, however, included in the proscription in the following year, 82 BC, whereupon he fled to Massilia, and passed there the remainder of his life. His daughter was married to P. Sestius. Cicero speaks favourably of the oratorical powers of this Scipio.