Lucius Cornelius Sulla

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the Roman Republic was designed to distribute power or control and how the government was made up of the Senate and the Assembly of the People similar laws to the parliamentary structure in the United States today. In particular, it looks at how, after being successful in battle numerous times, Sulla became one of the two Rome's consuls, the highest office in the republic and how, in 88 B.C., he was placed in command of the war against King Mithradates VI of Pontus in Asia Minor. It discusses how Sulla was an important figure in Rome's history because he was the first to establish a personal autocracy, which gave him the authority as a single leader to exercise absolute control over Rome's citizens and every aspect of their lives.

From the Paper:

"Assassination was considered a viable and acceptable means of removing someone who was not wanted in political office. In theory, it may be one of the reasons why Sulla resigned and is still the only known dictator to resign from office. One might conclude that after declaring himself dictator with no time restrictions to end his dictatorship. Sulla then resigns of his own free will-- This one act seems to signify his intent to have absolute power over the people and ultimately with no end to it."

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