Posted on 08/03/2025 12:05:37 PM PDT by Avoiding_Sulla
At the twilight of the Roman republic, few figures loom larger -- or cast darker shadows -- then Lucas Cornelius Sulla.Born into a once proud but impoverished family Sulla's journey from obscurity to unmatched power is one of the most tumultuous, ruthless, and consequential sagas in Roman history. His life traverses a landscape of war, betrayal, political manipulation, and personal ambition- all set against the backdrop of a crumbling Republic and the rising intentions that would ultimately birth an Empire.
This episode doesn't just recount Sulla's meteoric rise; it explores the deeper currents that carried him forward in the foundations of Roman politics that he shook to their core. From North Africa to Greece, from The Forum to the battlefield Sulla shaped -- and was shaped by -- the most volatile moments of his time.
Understanding Sulla's arc is essential to grasping how Rome transitioned from a senatorial Republic to a stage where military strong men would dominate. This is not just the story of one man, but of republic on the brink -- its traditions challenged, its laws rewritten, and the future forever altered.
(Excerpt) Read more at youtu.be ...
Was Sulla any worse than Marius? I don’t think so. Marius held the consulship for an unprecedented 7th time. It was after all Marius and his allies who first really slaughtered their political opponents wholesale when Sulla went off to the East. When Sulla came back though, there was hell to pay for that crime.
As you view this documentary, take note that at several imminent engagements Sulla tried to obtain rapprochement and comradery from his enemies before defeating them.This shows he was clearly better than the Marians. It appears to show he tried to repair the rift that was started by Marius' jealousy.
Even Caesar, a Marian himself, learned from that attempt and tried to be lenient and even gracious with many conquered peoples and adversaries. It is even likely he would have tried to patched up the split with Pompei when he followed him to Egypt had he not been murdered by Ptolemy. In many ways the whole Egypt affair wound up hardening Caesar and added to his hubris which led to his assassination.
The Senate was ruined by the 17th Amendment. We now have corrupt gasbags elected by statewide elections like governors but who are not remotely connected to state governance. Having their own political machines (often bought for by Federal tax dollars or Federal concessions), they act like 50 little Presidents.
Oddly enough, this makes them more like the Roman Senate, since they are mainly beholden to their rich "donors" or their own financial interests.
“Sulla! Sulla!”
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