Lucius Aurelius Cotta was a Roman Senator and military commander. He was born into the Plebeian gens Aurelia. By 122 BC had been elected to the rank of Praetor,and this was followed by his election as consul in 119 BC.

During his tenure in office, he, along with his colleague Lucius Caecilius Metellus Dalmaticus, opposed the passage of a law proposed by Gaius Marius, then a Plebeian tribune, which was meant to reform the configuration of the voting booths, thereby reducing the influence of the so-called Optimates. He asked the Senate to order Marius to present himself before them; when they did so, Marius responded by threatening to have Cotta imprisoned.

After Cotta’s colleague Metellus was imprisoned on Marius’ orders, Cotta and the Senate backed down and allowed the passage of Marius’ law. During his year in office, Cotta may have fought alongside Metellus in the campaign against the Dalmatians; the remaining sources are unclear if he actually participated or not.

Gift med
Rutilia, född -142 i Roma, Lazio, Italien, död -95 i Roma, Lazio, Italien.

Barn:
Aurelia Cotta, född -120, död -54