Gnaeus Cornelius Merula

Gnaeus Cornelius Merula came from the Roman patrician family of Cornelius and was 162 and 154 BC, the Roman ambassador in Egypt.

Life

The extant sources mention only the envoys of Gnaeus Cornelius Merula activity in Egypt. About his other life has no information.

163 BC, the Egyptian King Ptolemy VI agreed. with his younger brother Ptolemy VIII on a power-sharing, according to which the latter received the Cyrenaica and Ptolemy VI. with his sister wife Cleopatra II should reign over the rest of the kingdom. But the disgruntled younger brother wanted to Cyprus soon add his domain and traveled 162 BC to enforce this matter to Rome. Although the senators obviously recognized that the negotiated between the Ptolemaic brothers contract was valid, they still supported the majority Ptolemy VIII, because they, according to the Greek historian Polybius hoped the weakening of a division of the still large Ptolemäerreichs. However, this would come to meet Rome's imperial ambitions. Gnaeus Cornelius Merula and the consul of 165 BC, Titus Manlius Torquatus, were entrusted with the diplomatic mission, the feuding brothers together to " reconcile" and to ensure that Ptolemy VIII also received the government power over Cyprus; However, this goal should be achieved without explicitly warlike actions.

Merula and Torquatus went with Ptolemy VIII initially to Greece, where the Ptolemies recruited a strong mercenary army. The journey took them further to the Rhodian mainland possession ( Peraea ) on the south coast of Asia Minor. Ptolemy VIII wanted to sail to Cyprus, but was arrived at Side in Pamphylia reminiscent of the Roman envoys in mind that its establishment should take place as ruler of Cyprus bloodless. So he had dismissed his mercenaries. The ambassadors called Ptolemy VIII to also, on the border of Cyrenaica talks of Torquatus with Ptolemy VI. seen in Alexandria. Torquatus could move the Egyptian king to accept the Senate decision and would then travel together with the monarch to Ptolemy VIII. The latter had to surrender to the Roman claims. Ptolemy VI. but moved the negotiations in the length. Meanwhile, his younger brother had sailed together with Merula to Crete, where he was again excavated in 1000 mercenaries and was then traveled on to Apis. As the arrival of Torquatus delayed longer, Ptolemy VIII was impatient. On his behalf Merula now also went to Alexandria to fetch Torquatus and the Egyptian king. But Ptolemy VI. held Merula Like other messengers with kindness towards.

When suddenly broke out in Cyrene, a riot, Ptolemy VIII had to give up his Cyprus - project basis and are dedicated to the suppression of the revolt. He was initially very successful. From Merula he learned that the Roman diplomats Ptolemy VI. to any concessions had to move. Merula returned to Rome and was accompanied by the brothers Ptolemy and Komanos, which should promote the Cyprus maps of Ptolemy VIII again. In the Senate, Merula and Torquatus 161 BC spoke for the younger Ptolemies, so it was decided, among other things, to terminate the alliance of Rome with the Egyptian king.

In the coming years, Ptolemy VIII could not obtain control of Cyprus continues, appeared 154 BC, again in Rome, accused his brother to have been an assassination attempt on him in order, and asked for substantial backing from his desires. The senators granted only a very modest assistance. Merula was again commissioned to assist in the enforcement of its Cyprus plans along with four other messengers (including Lucius Minucius Thermus ) Ptolemy VIII. This time, became Ptolemy VIII but in captivity of his older brother, who, however, treated him gently, while the Roman envoys returned home empty-handed.