Lucius Veturius Philo

Lucius Veturius Philo (before 236 BC – after 202 BC) was a curule aedile in 210 BC, praetor of Cisalpine Gaul in 209 BC, propraetor of the same province in 208 BC, and magister equitum in 205 BC. Upon the completion of his praetorship in Gaul, during which he had held command over two legions, Philo made the logical continuation into the propraetorship of Cisalpine Gaul, retaining command over his two legions and serving in that capacity during the year 208 BC.

Horsemen under Gaius Claudius Nero's command praised Caecilius Metellus and Veturius Philo highly for their actions during the campaign, and exhorted the commons to create the two as consuls for the next year. This opinion was seconded by the two consuls of 207 BC, Gaius Nero and Marcus Livius Salinator, the consuls sighting the "courage and fidelity" with which their legates had served them. Salinator, serving as dictator with the purpose of holding the comitia in 207, therefore made Caecilius Metellus his magister equitum, as well as consul for the upcoming year 206 BC, alongside Philo, declaring that the two would become so at the previously mentioned comitia.

Both new consuls were appointed to the province of Bruttium, "to carry on the war with Hannibal". The consuls found that many had returned to their homes upon their arrival in the province at the beginning of that spring, and, presumably to drive away the roving Gauls and still-present Carthaginian-aligned forces that yet held control in parts of Bruttium traitorous to Rome, ravaged the district of Consentia, taking much loot with them. Despite being ambushed on their way towards Lucania after the looting by Bruttians and Numidian javelin-men, there was more confusion than real danger, and the plunder, as well as most of the men, were saved. Lucania thereafter returned its allegiance to Rome without resistance.

Later career and Zama The next year, 205 BC, upon Scipio Africanus' victorious return to Rome from Spain, Veturius Philo, in his capacity as outgoing consul, having returned from Bruttium, proceeded to hold the consular elections, wherein "all the centuries voted amidst much enthusiasm for Scipio", Publius Licinius Crassus Dives, the Pontifex Maximus, being elected as his colleague.

Later in 205 BC, after having stayed outside of Rome sometime longer to further clean up in Bruttium, Metellus saw his consular army disbanded as he was appointed dictator by Publius Licinius Crassus Dives, the consul serving in Bruttium that year, with the stated purpose of holding the 204 BC consular elections, Philo having done so for the 205 BC consulships earlier that year. Metellus made Veturius Philo, with whom he seemingly would have been close after years of service together, his magister equitum, before successfully overseeing the election of Marcus Cornelius Cethegus and Publius Sempronius Tuditanus to the consulships of 204 BC. Metellus duly abdicated his office as dictator upon the conclusion of the elections, thus concluding Philo's period of service as magister equitum.

Most likely witnessing the momentous final Carthaginian defeat at the Battle of Zama, Philo was sent with the news of the glorious victory to Rome, approaching the Senate, which had gathered at the Temple of Bellona, in a move reminiscent of that which he had performed after the victory at the Metaurus, some five years earlier. According to Livy, "L. Veturius Philo reported that Carthage had made her last effort, a battle had been fought with Hannibal and an end had at last been put to this disastrous war. This announcement was received by the senators with huge delight, and Veturius reported a further success though comparatively an unimportant one, namely the defeat of Vermina, the son of Syphax. He was ordered to go to the Assembly and make the people sharers in the good news. Amidst universal congratulations all the temples in the City were thrown open and public thanksgivings were ordered for three days."