Marcus Minucius Thermus was an ancient Roman soldier and statesman. He was praetor in 81 BC and governor of Asia the following year,[1] succeeding Murena.[2] The capture of Mytilene occurred during his governorship; Mytilene had been in revolt against Rome and was suspected of actively or tacitly aiding so-called pirates in the region.[3] Suetonius credits Thermus with the victory,[4] but the siege may have been conducted by or in coordination with Lucius Licinius Lucullus. Little else is known of his life or career.[5]
Julius Caesar began his military service under Thermus after his pardon by Sulla during the proscriptions of 82 BC.[6] It was Thermus who sent the young Caesar as an envoy to the court of Nicomedes IV of Bithynia to request aid in the form of a fleet.
Although Thermus was a Sullan partisan, in 86 BC his younger brother Quintus had been a legate in Asia under appointment by the rival Marians. Quintus had replaced Fimbria after his mutiny.[5]
