Syllabus
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Lucius Cornelius Sulla
Sulla, an aide to Marius in North Africa in 107 BC, was elected
consul in 88 BC after marching his 36,000 troops into Rome. As consul he
departed for Greece, sacked Athens in 86 and then was exiled in 85 by the
late Marius' colleague Cinna. He returned to Rome in 83, where he defeated
the forces under Marius' son. In 82 Rome designated him "Dictator for the
Writing of Laws and Organizing the Republic." For four years he revitalized
the Senate and targeted his political enemies via the "proscriptions."
He died in retirement in 78 BC. His importance lies in the use of a client
army to gain power; his pursuit of dignitas and support of the Senatorial
oligarchy; his use of autocratic powers to restore a stable government;
and his reform of the courts, the only one of his reforms which lasted.