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Sulla: The Fortunate Roman General and Dictator

Terry Bell

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Sulla was a Roman general and dictator who played a key role in the downfall of the Roman Republic. He was a brilliant military commander and a ruthless politician. His career was marked by both great success and great controversy.

Early Life and Career

Sulla was born in 138 BC to a wealthy family in Rome. He entered politics at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks. He served as quaestor in 107 BC and praetor in 93 BC. In 91 BC, he was elected consul and given command of the war against the Italian allies who were rebelling against Roman rule.

Sulla the Fortunate: Roman General and Dictator

by G. P. Baker

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Sulla's military campaign against the Italian allies was a success. He defeated the rebels in a series of battles and forced them to surrender. His victory earned him the cognomen "Felix" (the Fortunate).

The Social War

The Social War was a civil war that erupted in Rome in 91 BC. The war was fought between the Roman government and the Italian allies who were demanding Roman citizenship. Sulla played a key role in the war, leading the Roman army to victory.

The Social War ended with the Lex Plautia Papiria, which granted Roman citizenship to all Italians who had not already rebelled. The war was a major turning point in Roman history, as it marked the beginning of the end of the Roman Republic.

The First Mithridatic War

In 88 BC, Sulla was elected consul and given command of the war against Mithridates VI of Pontus. Mithridates was a powerful king who had conquered a large empire in Asia Minor. Sulla's campaign against Mithridates was a success. He defeated the Pontic army in a series of battles and forced Mithridates to surrender.

The First Mithridatic War ended with the Treaty of Dardanus, which forced Mithridates to give up all of his conquests and pay a large indemnity to Rome. Sulla's victory in the war made him one of the most popular generals in Rome.

The Civil War

In 83 BC, Sulla returned to Rome and found himself in a civil war with Marius and the populares. The civil war was a bloody and bitter conflict that lasted for several years. Sulla eventually emerged victorious and was declared dictator of Rome in 82 BC.

As dictator, Sulla enacted a series of reforms that aimed to restore order and stability to Rome. He increased the power of the Senate and reduced the power of the populares. He also proscribed thousands of his enemies and confiscated their property.

Sulla's dictatorship lasted for two years. He resigned from office in 79 BC and retired to his villa in Puteoli. He died in 78 BC at the age of 60.

Legacy

Sulla was a controversial figure. He was a brilliant military commander but also a ruthless politician. His reforms helped to restore order to Rome but also set the stage for the rise of the Roman Empire.

Sulla's legacy is complex and contested. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in Roman history, but his actions also contributed to the downfall of the Roman Republic.

Sulla the Fortunate: Roman General and Dictator

by G. P. Baker

4 out of 5