Marcus Aurelius Cotta (cos. 74) edit

Career

1. 77 BCE
   Praetor edit

   The latest date possible under the Cornelian law

2. 74 BCE
   Consul edit

   In Rome Lucullus checked the Tribune Quinctius (a; see Tribunes of the Plebs). He had been assigned the province of Cisalpine Gaul, but upon the death of Octavius, Proconsul in Cilicia, early in the year (see Promagistrates), he intrigued to get this province and the command against Mithridates (b). He received also command of the former armies of Fimbria and of Servilius Isauricus (c), and probably also the province of Asia (d; and see 70, Promagistrates, on Lucullus). Cotta received command of a fleet to protect his province of Bithynia and the Propontis, but was defeated on sea and on land, and shut up in Chalcedon until Lucullus relieved him (e). The latter checked the forces of Mithridates in a battle at the Rhyndacus river, and during the winter of 74-73 brought him to disaster in a trap as he was besieging Cyzicus (f).

Family