[78.12] Cf. our use of the word ‘finished.’
[78.13] The statements in lines 9-15 are untrue, since Lucullus had served with distinction under Sulla in the first Mithridatic War.
[78.14] King of Armenia, and son-in-law of Mithridates, with whom he had formed alliance.
[78.15] ultimam . . . potuit: ‘his failure to put the finishing touches (ultimam manum) to the war was due more to unwillingness than to inability.’ How literally? Here too the biographer shows his prejudice. Lucullus’ failure to end the war was due to the mutiny of his soldiers, who were weary of their incessant exertions, and angry because L. did not permit them to gratify their greed for plunder.
[78.16] ‘(though) praiseworthy.’ invictus must be similarly translated.
[78.17] Cf. [p. 18, n. 7].
[78.18] ‘convenience.’
[79.1] mōlēs . . . iniēcit: ‘he built huge structures out into the sea.’
[79.2] Cf. [p. 73, n. 10]. Xerxes, king of Persia, made an expedition against Greece in 480 B.C., in the course of which he executed certain important engineering works.
[79.3] adsuēscō.