One of the most radical and debatable personalities in late Roman history was Lucius Cornelius Sulla (138-78 BC). Being a successful general, a dictator, and a reformer, he overcame huge crises: the Social War in Italy, a bloody civil war, and the First Mithradatic War in the East which threatened to destroy the Roman domination almost completely. His initiatives transformed Rome in its relationship with allies, with its provinces, and with itself, and brought new forms of administration, punishment, and ideology which affected the way toward empire. Based on the dissertation of a dissertation of Federico Santangelo and the accompanying history, the following are 12 significant effects of the career and decisions of Sulla.
Unveiled the Impotence of Roman Imperial Strategy
The crises of the era of Sulla, the Social war (91-88 BC), the Mithridatic war (88-85 BC) and the civil war indicated the fundamental weakness in the Roman ability to control Italy and even the Greek East, where local elites almost destroyed the Roman hegemony.
Played a Major Role in Cracking Down on the Social War
The military achievements of Sulla allowed Rome to conquer the Italian allies (socii) who combated to achieve citizenship or autonomy, and the war also compelled Rome to redefine the relationships it had with the communities of Italy.
conquered Mithridates VI in the East
During the First Mithridatic War, the Roman domination was restored; the Roman forces defeated Sulla in Greece and Asia Minor, and dictated the conditions according to the Treaty of Dardanus (85 BC), achieving control over the territory.
Instigated and ignited Rome’s First Major Civil War
The precedence of employing legions to overtake political power within the city was set by Sulla, which marched on Rome in 88 BC (the first time Roman army crossed the pomerium) and won the battle in 82-81 BC.
Presented Proscriptions as a Political Terrorism Tool
Following his success in the civil war, the proscriptions enforced by Sulla were directed at the execution of the enemies and seizure of property, which instilled fear, re-distribution of wealth, and social trauma in Italy in the long-term.
Strictly disciplined opposing Italian Communities
The cities and wealthy who opposed him were bitterly retaliated, with confiscation of land and settlement of veterans forcing them to seek the patronage of the Roman senate to have the damage alleviated.
Forced Austerity Measures in the Asian Province
Sulla reformed the taxation system in Asia, levying massive indemnities (five years back taxes) on the local population that put them into debt and dependence on the patronage of the Roman elite.
Enhanced Patron-Client Relations Empire-wide
His penal and correctional measures in Italy and Asia also compelled the provincial and Italian aristocracies to be allied to influential Roman senators in order to be safeguarded which further enmeshed the net of personal patronage in Roman politics.
Added to Roman Imperial Ideology
Sulla promoted the ideas of Roman supremacy but introduced the culture of affinity between Romans and Greeks as the descendants of Venus/Aphrodite into the mixture of cultural affiliation and superiority.
Applied Religion in Innovative ways to provide political legitimacy
He identified himself with Aphrodite/Venus in the East, and with Romans in Italy, where he publicized himself as a new founder of Rome (also found in the art and inscriptions), and pioneered the religious propaganda.
Returned Veterans and Recycled Land
The vast colonies of veterans within Italy (of their own lands seized) shifted the demographics, rewarded loyalty, and strengthened the Roman rule and generated additional points of support to the elite.
Prepared Grounds of Late Roman Unsteadiness and the Empire
The prioritization of senatorial authority, the use of military force at home and the consistent to the fiscal flow of the East, the activities of Sulla gave short-term order to the situation but opened the path to the Republic towards autocracy.
