Sulla and Marius Civil Wars

Rome’s first civil war stemmed from a ruthless power struggle between the politician-generals Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla.

• True

• False

Sulla’s military coup provided the impetus for the destruction of the Roman Republic.

• Cause of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

• Consequence of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

Combining patrician pride and obscure status as a political new man perhaps stimulated Sulla's eagerness for power and fame.

• Cause of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

• Consequence of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

Once the Senate could not maintain the loyalty of the army and generals, it became defenceless to stop powerful men from controlling the government with his army.

• Cause of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

• Consequence of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

The first conflict originated from Jugurthine War when Masius sent Sulla to negotiate with Jugurtha’s father-in-law - King Bocchus I. Sulla successfully finished the negotiations and persuaded Bocchus I to hand over Jugurtha to Rome. Therefore, Sulla declared that he had ended the war, which aroused Marius enmity.

• Cause of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

• Consequence of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

Ultimately, the conflict between plebs and nobles was vital for Sulla marching his army against Rome.

• Cause of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

• Consequence of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

Sulla realised that the army was willing to fight for him, so he determined to achieve his political end.

• Cause of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

• Consequence of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

Although Sulla was a victim of Sulpicius’ and Marius’ political intrigue, his selfish resolution brought the Republic into civil war and exceeded the decline of Roman politics.

• Cause of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

• Consequence of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

Once the Senate could not maintain the loyalty of the army and generals, it became defenceless to stop powerful men from controlling the government with his army (White, 2011).

• Cause of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

• Consequence of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

After his death, Sullan reformation faded away, but his coup was imitated by other politicians, which led to the destruction of the Republic.

• Cause of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.

• Consequence of the Marian-Sullan Civil Wars.