Julius Caesar Roman Dictator
November 15th, 2008
Question: Who is to more to blame for the fall of the Roman Republic? Gaius Julius Caesar, Gauis Marius, or Sulla?
As a "New Man" Marius went against the old ways numerous times, for example being consul 7 times, and then his reign of terror at the end. Sulla claimed to follow the old ways, yet was proclaimed dictator for a period of time that was unconstitutional, and he was also marched on Rome. Caesar also marched on Rome and was proclaimed Dictator for Life and his fall directly led to the reign of Emperors. So, in your opinion, who was contributed more to the fall of the Republic?
Answer: Out of the three, I would choose Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix.
Gaius Marius may have been consul an unprecedented 7 times and usurped the loyalties of the legions from the republic with his admission of the proletarii, but Sulla consolidated his hold on the legions through his leadership, brilliance, and ruthlessness.
Sulla was the first to march on Rome not once, but twice, violating Rome's sacred pomerium. This started a chain reaction that haunted Rome intermittently throughout the late republic and Imperial periods.
Sulla finally defeated the Marians at the Battle of the Colline Gate in 82 BC and probably intimidated the senate into declaring him dictator. He eliminated the rest of his enemies through his infamous proscriptions and reorganized the laws in favor of his Patrician allies in the senate. However, he retired to his estate in Puetoli only after two years in power. Why? Maybe Sulla realized he might be pushing his luck to far if he "appeared" to be a king.
I'll argue that Sulla's meteoric career was not only a prototype for Julius Caesar, but for Augustus as well. I have to agree though, the senatorial system of government was inadequate in administering the provinces in the 1st century BC.
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