Lucius Afranius (died 46 BC) was an ancient Roman plebeian and a client of Pompey the Great.
Afranius' soldiers caused a great many casualties and began looting the enemy camp and supply train.
It was only the timely arrival of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius which turned the tide in Pompey's favour.
After the initial successes against Mithradates VI of Pontus and Tigranes the Great of the Kingdom of Armenia, Pompey began to pursue the defeated enemy northwards.
Looking to take advantage of a defeated neighbour, Phraates III of Parthia invaded Armenia at Corduene and began pillaging.
Despite public knowledge and disapproval of this, Afranius was elected consul in 60, his consular colleague being Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer.
During this year, his actions showed a lack of understanding and ability in the management of the civil matters demanded by the office.
Afranius ordered Petreius, in command of two legions in Lusitania, to march for the Pyrenees to combine their forces.
When two of Fabius' legions marched out to protect foragers and crossed the Segre, the bridge gave way, cutting off the small force.
Afranius marched out to engage this smaller force, but Lucius Munatius Plancus, the Caesarian commander, formed up his legions on a rise with a good defence.
During his time in Iberia, Afranius had trained his legions to use a loose order formation, similar to that used so successfully by the Celtiberians and Lusitani.
Afranius found out that a large supply convoy was approaching Caesar from Gaul, and he set out to attack and capture it.
The cavalry set about harassing Afranius' supply lines, even annihilating a unit of republican reinforcements.
We have now sufficiently discharged our duty to him, and have suffered punishment enough, in having endured the want of every necessity: but now, pent up almost like wild beasts, we are prevented from procuring water, and prevented from walking abroad; and are not able to bear the bodily pain or the mental disgrace: we confess ourselves vanquished: and beg and entreat, if there is any room left for mercy, that we should not be necessitated to suffer the most severe penalties.Caesar pardoned all the Republicans, Afranius included—on the proviso that they did not join up with the Republicans still at large.
Despite this, Afranius, along with Petreius, broke his word to Caesar, embarked with as many loyal troops as he could gather and sailed for Epirus and Pompey.
After Caesar landed in Africa Province, his forces were harassed by Numidian light troops commanded by Afranius and his fellow Picentine, Titus Labienus.
After holding them for several days, the troops guarding them mutinied and killed all the leading Republican prisoners, including Afranius.