Dictatorship of Sulla
81-79 BC (REI PUBLICAE CONSTITUENDAE)
E. Gruen,
The Last Generation of the Roman Republic
The Sullan Settlement:
Ø Proscriptions
Ø Suppression of plebeian tribuneship
Ø expansion of Senate and Knights
Ø settlement of 23 legions on land (c. 120,000 veterans)
Problems:
Ø M. Aemilius Lepidus, cos. 78
BC
Ø Q. Sertorius' rebellion in Spain, 78-72 BC; Pompey
sent in 78 BC
Ø Spartacus Slave Rebellion, 73-71 BC – Crassus takes
command
Ø King Mithradates VI in
Pontus; 82 BC; 74 BC, open conflict with Rome
Ø Urban Violence; 75 BC, bread riots in Rome; M.
Cornelius Cethegus, ex-praetor, desultor
belli civilis; Praecia, 74
BC cos. L. Licinius Lucullus, 74-66 BC
Ø Cilician Pirates, 139 BC - 67 BC --
SOLUTIONS:
Extraordinary Commands
-- Cn. Pompeius Magnus,
cos. 70, 55 BC; M. Licinius Crassus, cos. 70 and 55
BC
Caesar in the
70s BC – engaged in the siege of Mytilene, won military honors, and notoriety in Bithynia;
returned to Rome, 78 BC, he prosecuted a Sullan
general, Cn. Cornelius Dolabella,
cos. 80 BC; left Rome again, in the Aegean, captured by pirates, 75 BC; Euthydemos of Cnidus; raised a militia and captures
pirates. M. Antonius Creticus, extraordinary command
against the Pirates, 74-72 BC, received commission on this campaign.
72 BC, Caesar back at
Rome prosecuted C. Antonius Hybrida, for abuses in
Greece
He took an anti-aristocratic
stance; like Cicero he supported Pompey and Crassus as consuls in 70 BC
Pompey
and Crassus, coss. 70 BC, census completed, Sullan
senators expelled from the Senate, restoration of full powers of the Plebeian Tribuneship and Plebeian Assembly.
Lex Gabinia, 67
BC, gave Pompey extraordinary command over the pirates throughout the
Mediterranean. Maius imperium over other magistrates bearing imperium.
Lex Manilia, 66
BC, Pompey received the Mithradatic Command,
replacing L. Lucullus, conquered the East, reorganized territories. Pompey did
not return to Rome until 62 BC in triumph. [Cic.
Pro Lege Manilia]
The Catalinarian Conspiracy
occurred during his absence.