Sylla

Also known as: Epaphroditus / Felix / Lucius Cornelius Sylla / Lucius Sylla / Sulla · Family: Roman · Role: general · First appears: Poplicola

In his younger days, Sylla was married first to Ilia, then to Aelia, and lastly to Cloelia, whom he dismissed honorably when she proved barren. He had a long attachment to Metrobius, a player, and courted Nicopolis, whose property he inherited at her death. Descended from Rufinus, who had been consul but suffered a notable disgrace, Sylla became quaestor to Caius Marius; when Bocchus delivered Jugurtha into his hands, rivalry and “fierce and implacable hostility” arose between Sylla and Marius. He later attached himself to Catulus, under whose command he rose to reputation and power, and made a friend of Bocchus.

After returning to Rome, Sylla was chosen consul with Quintus Pompeius and married Caecilia, daughter of Metellus. His forces drove Marius from Rome, and he opposed Young Marius and Marius the younger in the civil wars. In the East, he established Ariobarzanes in Cappadocia, reconciled Ariobarzanes and Nicomedes, cared for Archelaus when he fell ill, captured Athens after its walls were breached, and fought Mithridates until their peace restored kingdoms and required ships and tribute. He was enemies with Aristion, Fimbria, Scipio, Carbo, Norbanus, and Marcus Lepidus, while Pompey, Marcus Crassus, Hortensius, Murena, Marcus Lucullus, and Homoloichus served under or received favor from him. He also forced Aemilia, his step-daughter, upon Pompey in marriage, and was a friend of Cato the Younger’s family.

Sylla became dictator with power over life, death, property, lands, cities, and kingdoms, retaining military command for ten years while making himself consul, proconsul, or dictator. He ordered Lucretius Ofella slain when he sought the consulship, and Granius strangled; Lucius Catilina received his favor, while Censorinus impeached him and Lucius Cinna was at different times his friend and enemy. He married Valeria, who bore Posthuma, and another wife bore the twins Faustus and Fausta. After a troublesome night, Sylla died, leaving two young children by Metella; Pompey afterward enforced his honorable burial against Lepidus.