He was a grandson of the consul Lucius Licinius Lucullus, and a nephew of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus. Initially serving in the Social War under Sulla, as quaestor in 88 BC he was the only officer to support Sulla's march on Rome.
He became aedile in 79 BC, along with his brother Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus, and gave splendid games.
He became consul in 74, and took the field against Mithridates.
See also Gardens of Lucullus