Aulus Postumius Albus Regillensis

Who is Aulus Postumius Albus Regillensis?

Aulus Postumius Albus Regillensis was an ancient Roman who, according to Livy, was dictator in 498 or 496 BC, when he conquered the Latins in the great Battle of Lake Regillus and subsequently celebrated a triumph. Many of the coins of the Albini commemorate this victory of their ancestor, as in the one pictured. Roman folklore related that Castor and Pollux were seen fighting in this battle on the side of the Romans, whence the dictator afterwards dedicated a temple to Castor and Pollux in the Roman Forum.

He was consul in 496 BC, in which year some of the annals, according to Livy, placed the battle of Lake Regillus; and it is to this year that Dionysius assigns it. The name "Regillensis" is usually supposed to have been derived from this battle; but Niebuhr thinks that it was taken from a place of residence, just as the Claudii bore the same name, and that the later annalists only spoke of Postumius as commander in consequence of the name. Livy states expressly, that Scipio Africanus was the first Roman who obtained a surname from his conquests.

In 495 BC. Postumius was chosen at short notice by the Romans to lead the cavalry to victory against a Sabine invading force.