M. Antonius Creticus, praetor 74 BC, given a special command against the pirates with imperium infinitum; his disastrous Cretan expedition (74-71) ended with his ignominious death and a humiliating peace. Father of the triumvir. Cited at Verr. 2.3.213 as an embarrassing precedent for naval exaction and at Verr. 2.2.8 for the Sicilian sufferings under his command.