Aulus Postumius Albinus (propraetor 110 BC)


Aulus Postumius Albinus Magnus was a Statesman and General of ancient Rome, of patrician rank, during the late Second and early First century BC, who was brother of Spurius Postumius Albinus, and probably son of Spurius Postumius Albinus Magnus.

Africa and Jugurtha

In 110 BC, during the Jugurthine War, he served his brother during Spurius’ unsuccessful campaign against Jugurtha in Africa. At the end of the campaigning season Aulus was left in command of the army in the Roman province of Africa while Spurius returned to Rome to oversee the elections. Aulus decided on a bold stoke and in mid-winter he marched his army to Suthul, one of Jugurtha‘s treasuries, and started to besiege the town. Jugurtha used bribery to induce him to lead his army into the desert, where he was suddenly attacked by the Numidian king, and only saved his troops from total destruction by allowing them to pass under the yoke, and undertaking to leave Numidia in ten days.

Social War and death

In 89 BC, during the Social War, Aulus served under the consul Lucius Porcius Cato. Early on Cato died and command passed to Lucius Cornelius Sulla who started laying siege to the Campanian cities. During the siege of Pompeii, Aulus was in command of the fleet blockading the harbor. Under Aulus' command were a number of Hirpini who had sided with Rome. He kept on offending these troops until they were so fed up with his behavior that they stoned him to death. When news of this reached Sulla, he declined to punish the murderers. He needed the men and he figured Albinus had brought it on himself.