Gaius Memmius

Gaius Memmius (, incorrectly called Gemellus, "The Twin") was a Roman politician, orator and poet. He is most famous as the dedicatee of Lucretius' De Rerum Natura, and for his appearances in the poetry of Catullus. Life and career Memmius was born around 99 BC, a member of the prominent plebeian gens Memmia. His father was Lucius Memmius, possibly the same Lucius Memmius who served as triumvir monetalis in 109 BC. Memmius first appears in the historical record as a Tribune of the Plebs for 66 BC, in which role he prosecuted Marcus Lucullus for his actions as quaestor under the rule of Sulla. More significantly, as Pompey the Great assumed command of the Roman armies in the Third Mithridatic War in the same year, Memmius led the opposition to Marcus Lucullus' brother, Lucius Licinus Lucullus, whom Pompey had replaced. Memmius, an ally of Pompey's both politically and through family connections, charged Lucullus with embezzlement and needlessly protracting the war, and led the campaign against granting Lucullus a triumph. He gave at least four public speeches against Lucullus' triumph; after three years, the necessary law (lex curiata) was passed, but Lucullus had been forced to remain outside the pomerium throughout this period to avoid forfeiting his right to a triumph by entering Rome, effectively removing him from politics for this period.