Regulus
historical figure · 9 works · 13 mentions · 15 anchored passages
the Reguluses · the chest of Regulus
in the texts
Letters to Lucilius
Roman figure referenced in a quoted sentence from Arruntius's history of the Punic War.
" Arruntius could not restrain himself from setting down at once in the first book that "there were great reputations about Regulus.
Do you, then, not think that Regulus wished to reach the Carthaginians?
in it is the chest of Regulus, the wound Cato opened with his own hand, the exile of Rutilius, the poisoned cup that carried Socrates from the prison to heaven.
On Moral Ends
Roman general who died in captivity by torture, used as a contrasting exemplum to Metellus in the debate on happiness and fortune.
' 'That Metellus is no whit happier than Regulus.
'Then,' said he, 'to you Quintus Metellus, who saw three sons consuls — of whom one even both a censor and triumphing, and a fourth a praetor — and left them safe, and three daughters married, when he himself had been consul, censor, even an augur, and had triumphed, supposing him to have been wise — was he not happier than Regulus, supposing him likewise to have been wise, who was put to death in …
He says the life of Metellus is not happier than that of Regulus, yet to be preferred — not more to be sought, but more to be taken;
On Benefits
Roman commander captured by the Carthaginians, cited as an example of unconquered spirit despite capture.
and Regulus was captured by the Carthaginians, not conquered;
On Providence
Marcus Atilius Regulus, Roman general tortured by the Carthaginians, cited as the pattern of good faith and endurance.
what harm did fortune do him in making him a pattern of good faith, a pattern of endurance?
she tries fire upon Mucius, poverty upon Fabricius, exile upon Rutilius, torture upon Regulus, poison upon Socrates, death upon Cato.
Vices have not yet so taken possession of the human race that it should be doubtful whether, if the choice of one's fate were offered, more men would wish to be born a Regulus than a Maecenas.
On Tranquillity of Mind
Roman general pierced by many nails, cited as an example of a death not to be mourned.
Shall I weep for Hercules because he is burned alive, or for Regulus because he is pierced by so many nails, or for Cato because he reopens his own wounds?
Ad Martyras
Roman general taken prisoner by Carthage, cited for enduring torture by nails rather than accept an exchange.
Regulus, a Roman general, taken prisoner by the Carthaginians, when he had refused that he alone should be exchanged for many Carthaginian captives, chose rather to be given back to the enemy;
Ad Nationes
Roman hero traditionally said to have willingly submitted to crucifixion by Carthage.
The cross's novelty, frequent, abstruse, your own Regulus gladly dedicated;
Apologeticum
Roman general who endured crucifixion-like torture rather than see enemies ransomed for his own life.
Regulus, that one man might not live in exchange for many enemies, endured crosses over all his body:
De Testimonio Animae
Roman general cited as an example of despising death for the sake of posthumous glory.
It is a long task to recount the Curtiuses and the Reguluses and the Greek heroes, of whom there are countless eulogies of death despised for the sake of posthumous fame.