Sulla (early life, first march on rome, and the first mithridatic wars)

SULLA (Early Life, First March on Rome, and The First Mithridatic Wars) Sulla was a Roman General, who also held the position of counsel twice. For a short period of time, he was also considered to be a dictator. He worked side by side with a Spartan General and strategist named Lysander. He passed a series of new reforms to try to regain a balance of power between the senate and tribunes. He shocked the Roman Empire when he resigned as dictator and restored the constitutional government. He was born in Rome in 138 BC; and spent most of his childhood surrounded by comics, dancers, actors, and musicians. Sulla was well educated and intelligent and learned to be fluent in Greek. One of Sulla first accomplishments was the capture of Jugurtha of Numidia, where he convinced the King’s father-in-law to betray him. In his first march on Rome Sulla was in the position of counsel as he appointed by the senate. Marius, who Sulla had helped led Rome up to this point in time still wanted to lead Rome, but was too old. Therefore, when Sulla left to fight against Nola, Marius stayed behind still seeking power. He found an ally in Sulpicius and promised to wipe out his debts he would help overturn the senate’s decision to give power to Sulla. Once Sulla heard the news of the betrayal, he informed his soldiers of the situation and they turned and began their march on Rome. Sulla ran through the walls of Rome and his soldiers overpowered the Gladiators as he angrily addressed the senate. He took care of Marius and regained proper power to the Senate before he turned his attention back to fighting Mithridate in Pontus. With Sulla once again out of Rome Marius plotted his return forming an alliance with China. He returned and took control of Rome in 87 BC, but shortly after died leaving China in full control of Rome. In his takeover of Athens Sulla wanted to take control of the port to cut off supplies to Athens. He then patiently waited outside the walls, as the city grew hungry with low supplies. Sulla then led the Romans on a sack of Athens before wiping out Achilles and his armies at the port.