Sulla, in full Lucius Cornelius Sulla or later Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, (born 138 bcedied 79 bce, Puteoli [Pozzuoli, near Naples, Italy]), victor in the first full-scale civil war in Roman history (88-82 bce) and subsequently dictator (82-79), who carried out notable constitutional reforms in an attempt to strengthen the Roman Republic during the last century of its existence. J. He dismissed his lictores and walked unguarded in the Forum, offering to give account of his actions to any citizen. Identifying and locating primary sources can be challenging. Shortly before Sulla's first consulship, the Romans fought the bloody Social War against their . [86] He then left Italy with his troops without delay, ignoring legal summons and taking over command from a legate in Macedonia. Historians and other scholars classify sources as primary or secondary. Lucius Cornelius Sulla was born in 138 BCE in Puteoli, Italy. Jugurtha had fled to his father-in-law, King Bocchus I of Mauretania (a nearby kingdom); Marius invaded Mauretania, and after a pitched battle in which both Sulla and Marius played important roles in securing victory, Bocchus felt forced by Roman arms to betray Jugurtha. What Is a Primary Source? Sulla would ratify Mithridates' position in Pontus and have him declared a Roman ally. [104] When the Pontic cavalry attacked to interrupt the earthworks, the Romans almost broke; Sulla personally rallied his men on foot and stabilised the area. At the meeting, he took the seat between the Parthian ambassador, Orobazus, and Ariobarzanes, seeking to gain psychological advantage over the Partian envoy by portraying the Parthians and the Cappadocians as equals with Rome as superior. Secondary sources provide second-hand information and commentary from other researchers. [127] In the north at the same time, Norbanus was defeated and fled for Rhodes, where he eventually committed suicide. [123], After the younger Marius' defeat, Sulla had the Samnite war captives massacred, which triggered an uprising in his rear. Archelaus tried to break out but were unsuccessful; Sulla then annihilated the Pontic army and captured its camp. The Senate immediately sent an embassy demanding an explanation for his seeming march on the fatherland, to which Sulla responded boldly, saying that he was freeing it from tyrants. But it was from 59, Nero's fifth year as emperor that things started to go seriously . Keep in mind as you use this website, the Web is always changing and evolving. At the same time, Mithridates attempted to force a land battle in northern Greece, and dispatched a large army across the Hellespont. [67], Sulla's election to the consulship, successful likely due to his military success in 89BC, was not uncontested. Updated on June 22, 2022 Students. At the same time, the younger Marius sent word to assemble the Senate and purge it of suspected Sullan sympathisers: the urban praetor Lucius Junius Brutus Damasippus then had four prominent men killed at the ensuing meeting. Source: Ammianus Marcellinus, History, XIV.16: "The Luxury of the Rich in Rome," c. 400 A.D. By the end of the war, the SSA had conscripted over 2.8 million American men. Biography Roman military commander and dictator of the Roman republic (81-80 BC). Primary sources are most often produced around the time of the events you are studying. [100] In need of resources, Sulla sacked the temples of Epidaurus, Delphi, and Olympia; after a battle with the Pontic general Archelaus outside Piraeus, Sulla's forces forced the Pontic garrison to withdraw by sea. The ancient biography of Sulla written by Plutarch is useful. Sulla played an important role in the long political struggle between the optimates and populares factions at Rome. After massacring a number of Italian traders who supported one of his rivals, indignation erupted as to Jugurtha's use of bribery to secure a favourable peace treaty; called to Rome to testify on bribery charges, he successfully plotted the assassination of one another royal claimant before returning home. Gnaeus Carbo attempted to lift the Siege of Praeneste but failed and fled to Africa. However, in some cases, paintings are considered secondary sources. Wikipedia entry. [59], In the first year of fighting, Roman strategy was largely one of containment, attempting to stop the revolting allies from spreading their rebellion into Roman-controlled territory. Also, Faustus Cornelius Sulla, Nero's cousin, was exiled as a potential rival in 58. [111], The peace reached with Mithridates was condemned in ancient times as a betrayal of Roman interests for Sulla's private interest in fighting and winning the coming civil war. [26] Sulla was assigned by lot to his staff. Ancient accounts of Sulla's death indicate that he died from liver failure or a ruptured gastric ulcer (symptomized by a sudden hemorrhage from his mouth, followed by a fever from which he never recovered), possibly caused by chronic alcohol abuse. They are original research, thinking, or discovery on a topic or event, and are written or created by people who actually experienced the event . [33] Winning Bocchus' friendship and making plain Rome's demands for Jugurtha's deliverance, Sulla successfully concluded negotiations and secured Bocchus' capture of Jugurtha and the king's rendition to Marius' camp. Sulla then served as legate under his former commander and, in that stead, successfully subdued a Gallic tribe which revolted in the aftermath of a previous Roman defeat. [88] Political violence in Rome continued even in Sulla's absence. Resigning his dictatorship in 79 BC, Sulla retired to private life and died the following year. The two armies then crossed the Po and attacked the Cimbri. [44], His term as praetor was largely uneventful, excepting a public dispute with Gaius Julius Caesar Strabo (possibly his brother-in-law) and his magnificent holding of the ludi Apollinares. Or he could attempt to reverse it and regain his command. Gaius Sallustius Crispus (Sallust) was born Amiternum in the country of the Sabines in 86 BC. Sulla then increased the number of magistrates elected in any given year, and required that all newly elected quaestores gain automatic membership in the Senate. The first of the, Pages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback, sfn error: no target: CITEREFBadian2012 (. Marius, an Italian by birth rather than a pure Roman, was a relative newcomer to the Roman elite, and he was considered an outsider by the Senate fathers. Primary sources are available here primarily for use in high-school and university/college courses. When the campaign in Italy started, two theatres emerged, with Sulla facing the younger Marius in the south and Metellus Pius facing Carbo in the north. In art, literature, and cultural studies, primary sources . "[132] The majority of the proscribed had not been enemies of Sulla, but instead were killed for their property, which was confiscated and auctioned off. The Battle of Sacriportus occurred between the forces of Young Marius and the battle-hardened legions of Sulla. He's remembered best for bringing his soldiers into Rome, the killing of Roman citizens, and his military skill in several areas. His execution in AD 62 on the orders of emperor Nero made him the last of the Cornelii Sullae. While besieging Pompeii, an Italian relief force came under Lucius Cluentius, which Sulla defeated and forced into flight towards Nola. They are often based on primary sources. Sulla then prohibited ex-tribunes from ever holding any other office, so ambitious individuals would no longer seek election to the tribunate, since such an election would end their political career. He won the first large-scale civil war in Roman history and became the first man of the Republic to seize power through force. Years later, in 91BC, Bocchus paid for the erection of gilded equestrian statue depicting Sulla's capture of Jugurtha. [21] Regardless, by the standards of the Roman political class, Sulla was a very poor man. The young Gaius Julius Caesar, as Cinna's son-in-law, became one of Sulla's targets, and fled the city. Sulla raised important cavalry forces for Marius and was responsible for the . Rome at the End of the Punic Wars [History, Book 6] [At this Site] Acts of the Divine Augustus (Res Gestae Divi Augusti) [At MIT] The Life of Gnaeus Julius Agricola (40-93 CE), [At UNRV History] Life of Cnaeus Julius Agricola (40-93 CE), c.98 CE trans. Threatened by the Pontic navy, Sulla sent his quaestor Lucullus to scrounge about for allied naval forces. An inscription on a sixteenth-century tombstone in Istanbul would be a primary source from the Classical Ottoman Age. And for his consular colleague, he attempted to transfer to him the command of Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo's army. [76] The troops were willing to follow Sulla to Rome; his officers, however, realised Sulla's plans and deserted him (except his quaestor and kinsman, almost certainly Lucius Licinius Lucullus). Primary sources are first-hand accounts of events. [59] Sulla attempted also to assist Lucius' relief of the city of Aesernia, which was under siege, but both men were unsuccessful. Proscribing or outlawing every one of those whom he perceived to have acted against the best interests of the Republic while he was in the east, Sulla ordered some 1,500 nobles (i.e. Turning south, he engaged the Pontic army allegedly 90,000[101] on the plain of Orchomenus. His family was patrician, part of the ruling class in ancient Rome. [72] Sulpicius' attempts to push through the Italian legislation again brought him into violent urban conflict, although he "offered nothing to the urban plebs so it continued to resist him". [75], Speaking to the men, Sulla complained to them of the outrageous behaviour of Marius and Sulpicius. Finally, Sulla revoked the power of the tribunes to veto acts of the Senate, although he left intact the tribunes' power to protect individual Roman citizens. Continuing towards Scipio's position at Teanum Sidicinum, Sulla negotiated and was almost able to convince Scipio to defect. [63] All of these victories would have been won before the consular elections in October 89. [60], The next year, 89BC, Sulla served as legate under the consul Lucius Porcius Cato. (5) Horace, Epode (c. 35 BC) [107], In the aftermath of the battle, Sulla was approached by Archelaus for terms. Biographies of historical and famous people. Due to his meeting the minimum age requirement of thirty, he stood for the quaestorship in 108BC. [45][46], While governing Cilicia, Sulla received orders from the Senate to restore Ariobarzanes to the throne of Cappadocia. Plutarch, writing much . Encyclopaedia Romana - Has essays on several aspects of ancient Rome. It is intended to serve the needs of teachers and students in college survey courses in modern European history and American history, as well as in modern Western Civilization and World Cultures. Primary research gives you direct access to the subject of your research. He then sailed for Italy at the head of 1,200 ships. Sulla had officially been declared an outlaw and in the eyes of the Cinnan regime, Flaccus was to take command of an army without a legal commander. Marius arranged for Sulla to lift the iustitium and allow Sulpicius to bring proposals; Sulla, in a "desperately weak position [received] little in return[,] perhaps no more than a promise that Sulla's life would be safe". In a typical year, the Graduate Acting Department will personally audition more than 800 students in order to select an ensemble of 16 actors. They are the most direct evidence of a time or event because they were created by people or things that were there at the time or event. He then fought successfully against Germanic tribes during the Cimbrian War, and Italian allies during the Social War. Sulla's career is recounted in detail in Howard Hayes Scullard, From the Gracchi to Nero: A History of Rome from 133 B.C. [128], After the battle at the Colline Gate, Sulla summoned the Senate to the temple of Bellona at the Campus Martius. They had, however, fallen on hard times. This brief guide is designed to help students and researchers find and evaluate primary sources available online. "[156], He was said to have a duality between being charming, easily approachable, and able to joke and cavort with the most simple of people, while also assuming a stern demeanor when he was leading armies and as dictator. Sulla had total control of the city and Republic of Rome, except for Hispania (which Marius' general Quintus Sertorius had established as an independent state). [53] Sulla was regarded to have done well in the east: he had restored Ariobarzanes to the throne, been hailed imperator by his men, and was the first Roman to treat successfully with the Parthians. Tip: If you are unsure if a source you have found is primary, talk to your instructor, librarian, or archivist. Marius was elected consul and, through assignment by tribunician legislation, took over the campaign. Works of art, in general, are considered primary sources. Sulla's military coup was enabled by Marius's military reforms, that bound the army's loyalty with the general rather than to the Roman Republic, and permanently destabilized the Roman power structure. If you have questions, please consult your instructor or librarian. The collection currently contains . Sulla hurried in full force towards Rome and there fought the Battle of the Colline Gate on the afternoon of 1 November 82BC. Archives; Correspondence [21], This article is about the Roman dictator. He might have been disinherited, though it was "more likely" that his father simply had nothing to bequeath. The Acropolis was then besieged. Primary sources are first-hand evidence related to the time or event you are investigating.This includes accounts by participants or observers and a wide range of written, physical, audio or visual materials created at the time or later by someone with direct experience.. Almost breaking before Marius' makeshift forces, Sulla then stationed troops all over the city before summoning the Senate and inducing it to outlaw Marius, Marius' son, Sulpicius, and nine others. Student Engagement: Primary source materials "help spark students . Also useful for understanding Sulla's career are the article by E. Baddian . [6] Keaveney places his departure to 93. Mithridates also would equip Sulla with seventy or eighty ships and pay a war indemnity of two or three thousand talents. You can use the following terms to search HOLLIS for primary sources:. When it came to hiding his intentions, his mind was incredibly unfathomable, yet with all else he was extremely generous; especially with money. The historian Sallust fleshes out this character sketch of Sulla: He was well versed both in Greek and Roman literature, and had a truly remarkable mind. [125], Carbo, who had suffered defeats by Metellus Pius and Pompey, attempted to redeploy so to relieve his co-consul Marius at Praeneste. For list of offices and years, unless otherwise indicated, sfn error: no target: CITEREFKeaveney2006 (, harvnb error: no target: CITEREFBadian2012 (, sfnm error: no target: CITEREFBadian2012 (, sfn error: no target: CITEREFSeager1994 (, Gabba, E. "Rome and Italy: the social war". [119][120] The remainder of 83BC was dedicated to recruiting for the next year's campaign amid poor weather: Quintus Sertorius had raised a considerable force in Etruria, but was alienated from the consuls by the election of Gaius Marius' son rather than himself and so left to his praetorian province of Hispania Citerior; Sulla repudiated recognition of any treaties with the Samnites, whom he did not consider to be Roman citizens due to his rejection of Marius and Cinna's deal in 87BC. The Battle of Chaeronea was fought in early summer around the same time the Athenian acropolis was taken. While Sulla's laws such as those concerning qualification for admittance to the Senate, reform of the legal system and regulations of governorships remained on Rome's statutes long into the principate, much of his legislation was repealed less than a decade after his death. While Sulla was moving in the south, Scipio fought Pompey in Picenum but was defeated when his troops again deserted. His troops were sufficiently impressed by his leadership that they hailed him imperator. Sulla, undeterred, stood again for the praetorship the next year, promising he would pay for good shows; duly elected as praetor in 97BC, he was assigned by lot to the urban praetorship. There, Sulla attacked him in an indecisive battle. Reason #4: studying primary sources helps students become better citizens. Sulla is generally seen as having set the precedent for Caesar's march on Rome and dictatorship. [137][15] In a manner that the historian Suetonius thought arrogant, Julius Caesar later mocked Sulla for resigning the dictatorship. [40], In 102BC, the invaders returned and moved to force the Alps. If Sulla had married one of the Julii Caesares, this could explain Marius' willingness to entrust such an important task to a young man with no military experience, as Marius too had married into that family. [109] Faced with Fimbria's army in Asia, Lucullus' fleet off the coast, and internal unrest, Mithridates eventually met with Sulla at Dardanus in autumn 85BC and accepted the terms negotiated by Archelaus. Lucius Cornelius Sulla I. By. [95], Mithridates' successes against the Romans incited a revolt by the Athenians against Roman rule. [22] His first wife was called either Ilia or Julia. Studying the past supports good citizenship, which is requisite for a fair and effective democracy. Primary Sources are immediate, first-hand accounts of a topic, from people who had a direct connection with it. This, of course, made him very popular with the poorer citizens. to the Birth of the Roman Empire (1969). . He was, however, defeated. [68] Shortly after Sulla's election, probably in the last weeks of the year, Sulla married his daughter to one of his colleague Pompeius Rufus' sons. He was saved through the efforts of his relatives, many of whom were Sulla's supporters, but Sulla noted in his memoirs that he regretted sparing Caesar's life, because of the young man's notorious ambition. Sarah Cooper teaches 8th grade U.S. history and is assistant head for academic life at Flintridge Preparatory School in La Canada, Calif. Sarah is the . Primary sources in history are often created by people who witnessed, participated in, or were otherwise close to a particular event. Mithridates was to give Asia and Paphlagonia back to Rome. Sulla, in southern Italy, operated largely defensively on Lucius Julius Caesar's flank while the consul conducted offensive campaigning. The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917, when the U.S. Congress agreed to a declaration of war. Published by at 29, 2022. Taking Action: Benefits for students that extend beyond the classroom. It was not until he was in his very late forties and almost past the age . Sulla's body was brought into the city on a golden bier, escorted by his veteran soldiers, and funeral orations were delivered by several eminent senators, with the main oration possibly delivered by Lucius Marcius Philippus or Hortensius. [122] Marius, buttressed by Samnite support, fought a long and hard battle with Sulla at Sacriportus that resulted in defeat when five of his cohorts defected. Essentially, they're sources about primary sources. [47], Sulla's campaign in Cappadocia had led him to the banks of the Euphrates, where he was approached by an embassy from the Parthian Empire. The Samnite and anti-Sullan commanders were then hunted down as "for all intents and purposes the civil war in Italy was over". He became a tribune of the plebeians in 52 BC where he gained a reputation for being a strong supporter of the populares. Killing Cluentius before the city's walls, Sulla then invested the town and for his efforts was awarded a grass crown, the highest Roman military honour. [78], When the march on Rome started, the Senate and people were appalled. Sulla's law waived the sponsio, allowing such cases to be heard without it. "[133][134], At the end of 82 BC or the beginning of 81 BC,[135] the Senate appointed Sulla dictator legibus faciendis et reipublicae constituendae causa ("dictator for the making of laws and for the settling of the constitution"). [66] Buttressed by success against Rome's traditional enemies, the Samnites, and general Roman victory across Italy, Sulla stood for and was elected easily to the consulship of 88BC; his colleague would be Quintus Pompeius Rufus. [81] He sent his army back to Capua[82] and then conducted the elections for that year, which yielded a resounding rejection of him and his allies.