Late Roman Republic, Sulla (c.60; fl.106-78 BC): Sulla’s capture of Rome (88 BC)

For the newly enfranchised Italians the intention seems to have been to put them into ten new tribes (voting districts), which could then be outvoted by the existing thirty-five tribes. In 88 BC the newly promoted tribune ⁰⁸Sulpicius Rufus proposed his lex Sulpicia to enrol the new Roman citizens among all the tribes (which would guarantee a fair distribution of their votes throughout the tribal system), to recall exiles, and to regulate senatorial debt (massive debt by politicians in pursuit of power could result in credit crises).

Facing strong opposition from the Senate and Sulla (who as one of the new consuls for 88 BC had been assigned the governorship of Asia), Sulpicius allied himself with Marius, who promised to lend the support of his veterans and equestrians in the Plebeian Assembly. When the consuls tried to frustrate the tribune’s work by proclaiming a suspension of public business (iustitium), an armed clash broke out in the Forum, and Sulla found himself compelled to flee the city. Sulpicius was now in power and his programme of measures, including a bill transferring the lucrative Eastern command from the Sulla to Marius, was passed by the vote of the people.

Sulla joined his troops in the south, mustering for the campaign in Asia Minor. He persuaded his soldiers to march on Rome, promising them rich booty from the East. When the army reached Rome, the unarmed defenders pelted his men from the rooftops until he set fire to their houses. Marius and Sulpicius, having no troops available had to flee, leaving Sulla in undisputed control of Rome. Marius found refuge on the island of Cercina off the coast of North Africa. Sulpicius, however, was captured and killed; his head was displayed in the Forum and his laws rescinded. 

Sulla pushed through several laws to prevent magistrates from defying the will of the Senate. One measure prohibited magistrates from introducing new legislation without prior senatorial approval; another made the long-dormant Centuriate Assembly (based on wealth) the primary assembly, which he accomplished by revoking the power of the tribunes to bring proposals before the Plebeian Assembly.

Before Sulla left Rome for the East to face Mithridates VI, he had the promise from both consuls of 87 BC, the popularis ³³Cornelius Cinna and the optimas Gnaeus Octavius (2), that during his absence they would suppress any attempts to repeal his reforms. He also tried to check ⁰³Pompeius Strabo, who still commanded an army in Central Italy, by replacing him with his own colleague, ⁰⁴Pompeius Rufus (fl.99-88 BC). When Rufus went to Picenum to take over the army the soldiers killed him and Strabo remained in control.