The Roman Revolution

Significance of Sulla

As important as Africanus or Caesar in the history of the Republic, Sulla was a touchstone both for the popular and the optimate party. His reforms could have worked, but the Senate was unequal to thetask. On the other hand, his reforms left inadequate protection against another like himself should the Senate fail in its leadership.

For all his radicalism, Sulla still sought to preserve the Republic, not to destroy it. He saw the need for radical change and was convinced that the Senate would never effect it, so he used whatever means necessary to adminster the medicine he felt Rome needed.

Nevertheless, in seeking to preserve the Republic, Sulla did indeed help to destroy it. His use of the army for political ends set a precedent that would be revisited by Julius Caesar. Sulla had revealed that the Senate was ulimately powerless in the face of the army, and from that moment the Republic was truly doomed.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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