Joshua McLaughlin
jmclaughlin6@zagmail.gonzaga.edu
Biography
Every hero has his beginnings, and our hero today had his beginnings quite humble: In the city at the center of the world! Lucius Cornelius Sulla was born to an old yet fading patrician family, one that lost a majority of its prominence (AHE: Sulla). Sulla belonged to the least distinguished of the seven Cornelian patrician families (Keaveny, pg. 6). Sulla was given a considerably good education, however he was put in a tough spot when his father died. He was left almost nothing in the will, leaving Sulla to live in an apartment alone in an undignified part of Rome, being forced to live next to an ex-Slave (Keaveny, pgs. 7-8).
Nothing is known of Sulla's childhood other than that he had a good education, one of the best in Rome! For a mid-tier Patrician that is good, perhaps even on par to mine! Still, we do not know much about Sulla's father, either. We know he donned the same name as his son, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, and we know that he was a Praetor at one point in his life, and we know that Felix's luck took a turn for the worst during his teen years, when L. Cornelius Sulla (father) died at a rather unfortunate point in his life. It was clear that the two Sullas had a falling out at some point, as Sulla Felix was left nothing in the will despite his stepmother having incredulous amounts of wealth, something that will come up later in Sulla's life! (Keaveny, pg. 7).
Sulla wouldn't get a chance to be in politics until the age of 30, when he was legally qualified to run for Quaestor. His poverty practically shunned him from higher Roman life, and he was essentially declasse, allowing him to turn to the only place that would accept him: the dreaded Theatre! (Keaveny, pgs. 8-9). Now I know to readers at home this sounds almost... scandalous! But remember, all good men have bad moments. Sulla is much more than a deplorable actor, as we will see his charisma gained quite possibly through this line of work would accelerate him through the ranks of the Roman army quite quickly!
With the death of his Stepmother, he was elected to his first position at the age of 30 as Quaestor, and quickly rose throught he ranks up through Praetor, distinguishing himself as one of the key elements to take down Jugurtha in the Numidian War! (AHE: Sulla). This excellent performance grew him close to Gaius Marius, yet left a sour taste in his mouth as Gaius Marius stole credit for his success. As a sign of the decay of the decadent republic, Gaius Marius was unprecedentedly elected Consul for 3 years in a row! (AHE: Sulla)
After fighting and destroying the barbarian Cimbrii and Teutones, Sulla and Marius grew apart, Marius becoming jealous of the younger Sulla and his intelligence, cunning and bravery (AHE: Sulla). During the devastating Social War, Marius and Sulla were rivals on the same side: Sulla displayed his ruthlessness at the siege of Pompeii, and combined with advances in politics throughout the decade between the Cimbrian wars and the Social war via bribes and charisma, the great Sulla was appointed his first consulship during the final year of the Social War. (Keaveny Pg. 58). As the Social War came to an end, the great Republic shifted its focus eastwards, to Asia minor.
The vile Mithridates of Pontus invaded the entirety of Roman asia and slaughtered 80,000 Roman men, women and Children (Spann, pg. 26). Finally, as Rome regathered itself, it would be able to respond to such. As Consul, Sulla was granted command of an army to go to the East and defeat Pontus. However, due to Marius's schemes, command was rescinded unjustly from Sulla as he was about to leave, and given to Marius! He was then demanded to return to Rome to face criminal proceedings! (Spann, pgs. 26-27).
So return to Rome he did.
For the first time in History, a Roman general wheeled his army around and descended upon the Eternal City, and it caused chaos. Fighting broke out in the streets, and before Marius could be killed he fled to Africa. The Senate sent two Praetors to intercept Sulla on the march to Rome, asking why he was doing this? He simply replied that he was defending the city from tyrants. The tribune Sulpicius would be killed, and Sulla returned to the city to find that his supporters were slain en masse during a riot. Upon entering the city, Sulla crossed the sacred boundary of Rome, the pomerium, and after seizing the city gates he paraded through the streets. Sulla passed many reforms, appointed two new Consuls, then left for the East after repealing the laws created in his absence (Wasson, Sulla Marches on Rome).
Gaius Marius returned to Rome, and then began a slaughter. For five days, Gaius Marius murdered anybody suspected of aligning themselves to Sulla, including one of the appointed Consuls, then declared himself Consul, all before dying two weeks after his arrival. The city was in absolute chaos, with murders and assassinations plaguing every aspect of life. Sulla did not know and did not care, as he went East. Sulla defeated a massive Pontian army twice, and made peace with Mithridates before returning to Rome. (Wasson, Sulla Marches on Rome).
Sulla realized the urgent need to return to the Eternal City, with Cinna, another enemy of his, rallying an army to fight against him. However, luck was on Sulla's side once more, as Cinna's troops revolted against him and killed him, joining Sulla. After this, the Samnites jumped on the opportunity and attempted to sack Rome! Unfortunately for them, they met the same fate as they did in the Social War -- utter annihilation. Their bodies were thrown into the Tiber, a fitting end for an ungrateful subject of Rome (Wasson, Sulla Returns to Rome).
Six years after he went East, he entered the city of Rome again. He immediately assumed the title of Dictator for Life, and was granted immunity for all past and future actions. Sulla began writing proscription lists, in which names of people who them and their families were murdered for being suspected agents or having loyalties that go against Sulla. With this, immense lands and wealths were confiscated and sold off to enrich the coffers of the State. Many were reluctant to buy into this, however one of Sulla's allies, Crassus, took the opportunity and bought immense amounts of land at an extremely cheap price, later becoming one of the wealthiest men in Rome, eventually using this to help the great Julius Caesar in their exploits of the Triumvirate! (Keaveny, pgs. 149-160).
Sulla created much legislation meant to stabilize the Republic. He was aware how dangerous someone marching on Rome was -- he knew one man should not have as much power as he did at the moment. So, in a brilliant twist, he began legislating new protections for the Republic. The size of the senate was doubled to 600, Veterans were settled on newly confiscated lands from the conscriptions, and he restricted the dangerous power of the tribunes that caused the entire 10 year mess in the first place. Finally, believing his work to be done, he retired as Dictator, allowing the republic to return to normal. He left to Campania for his villa, staying there for a year until he died at the age of 60, surrounded by loved ones. (AHE: Sulla).
And thus, the end of Sulla's story has arrived. Although there was much protest from many who despised him, he was still given an honorific state funeral. It was clear that throughout his life, Sulla relied immensely on his wits and charisma. Sulla was a clear pragmatist, knowing that rule from a single man from himself may not end well -- despite this notion being incorrect due to the successful rule of Augustus, Sulla still relinquished power in a move that resembled Cincinnatus, his ambitions fulfilled, his body allowed to rest.
THE END!