Notes on praetors in Spain in the mid-second century B. C.

Abstract

This article reassesses the ancient evidence on the praetors who fought in the Spains in the 150s and 140s, and argues against some recent reconstructions of the fasti praetorii for these years. In particular, two new possibilities are offered: L. Mummius, pr. in Hispania Ulterior 155 and prorogued through (at least) 154; and C. Laelius, pr. in a city jurisdiction in 145, and sent ex praetura to Citerior in 144, when his friend Scipio Aemilianus secured the removal of the Spains from the consular sortition for that year. If correct, this example of a city praetor setting out after the year of the magistracy for an overseas province would provide an early precedent for what was later to be a common practice, which Sulla as dictator finally was to institutionalize.