A Brief Introduction of Lucius cornelius Sura

Lucius cornelius Sura (BC 138-78) was a ruthless military commander who first appeared in the Numidia War commanded by gaius marius. In the subsequent conflict, his relationship with Marius deteriorated, which led to a confrontation that would only end in Marius' death. Sura finally seized control of the Republic, called himself a dictator, and began important reforms after destroying the enemy. He believed that he left Rome for the better, so he retired to his villa in 79 BC, but his rule could not stop the collapse of the country.

Early life

Lucius cornelius Sura was born in 138 BC, an ancient but not prominent aristocratic family. His only important ancestor was excommunicated from the Roman Senate. Unfortunately, his mother's death left him penniless. However, he didn't let this misfortune stop him. He entered politics a little late. He still takes the usual political road and takes the road of honor. Because of his success and timely succession in the army, he was quickly promoted to chief prosecutor, magistrate and supreme consul. A historian said that he seemed to be in a hurry.

His political career began in the usual way when he was elected governor by commander and consul gaius marius. I always believed that I was lucky. It was in the Numidian War (BC 1 12- 105) that Sura stood out when he helped ensure that King Jugurta of Numidia was captured and surrendered. Because the king's father helped Hannibal against Zama in the Second Punic War, Jugurta and his family have long been enemies of Rome.

Marius and Sula

With Zhu Shu's surrender and the end of the war, Ma returned to Rome with a slight victory, where he would elect a consul every year in104-10/BC. After a short celebration of victory, Marius marched north-Sura will join him-where he will defeat the rebellious Germanic tribes in Aix (BC 102) and Wisseler in Provence (BC 10 1 year). Despite these victories over Juguda and the Germanic tribes, these two men will soon become old enemies, probably because of Marius' jealousy. Historian Plutarch talked about this jealousy in his life and how Sura was intoxicated with it when they returned to Rome.

Because Marius won this time, but the glory of Sura's career secretly made him sad because of people's jealousy of Marius. The fact is that Sura himself is conceited. This is the first time that he has risen from a humble private country to the respect of citizens ... (332)

After a series of carefully arranged bribes, Sura will be fixed in his position and continue his practice of climbing the political ladder of the consul URBANUS city in 97 BC, and then the local governor will go to Keeley's home, where he will continue until 92 BC.

Social war

The jealousy and hatred between Marius and Sura will only deepen. In the social war or allied war (9 1-88 BC), Rome faced the resistance of former loyal allies from Italy, who demanded equal rights, that is, citizenship. When Rome admitted most of their demands, the war was over. By establishing a reputation for ruthlessness in the war-he appeared in the siege of Pompeii-Sura became the "first" general of Rome, which was the honor that Marius had before. Plutarch wrote something that happened before Sura went to war. The fortune teller predicted that a great man would master * * and "calm the current troubles of the city" (332). Sura believes that she is this person.

[After the war] Marius didn't make much contribution, which proved that military Excellence requires a person's highest strength and vitality (sic). On the other hand, Sura has done many unforgettable things, winning the reputation of a great leader among his compatriots, the title of the greatest leader among his friends and even the luckiest title among his enemies. (339)

As an outstanding consul, Sura won his first consul in 88 BC, and his future son, working lawyer Pompeii Rufus, became his cooperative consul.

Mitradak war

In the East, the Mitridati in Bentu caused trouble. BC 104, invaded Galatia and Pavlagonia provinces. After invading nearby Bitinia, he quit after being warned by the Roman Senate. However, he soon ignored the warning and attacked three Roman legions sent to deal with him; He confiscated the property of all Italian residents and ordered the locals to kill all Italians. The end result was economic chaos in Rome, and many people went bankrupt. Sura was ordered to command the Roman army against Mithradas. However, the Tribune newspaper Publi Uus Sulpisius Rufus blocked this order, called on Marius, the old man, to retire and approved his order. Many people think that the two men have reached an agreement. Marius, who was almost 70 years old at that time, joined the battle with resentment and sought revenge.

Sura was very angry. Not only the possible victory was stolen from him, but also the spoils were stolen. Realizing that he had the support of the army-six legions or about 30,000 men-he marched on unsuspecting Rome. Plutarch wrote:

[Sura] shouted the order to set fire, picked up the flaming torch, led the way personally, and ordered his archers to shoot at the roof with their fire arrows. This is not out of any calm calculation, but out of a * * *, and the order of his behavior that has surrendered to his anger ... He entered with the help of fire, without distinguishing between guilty and innocent. (357-358)

In order to seize the command, his first action was to kill Rufus; The Tribune was found hiding in his villa. Fortunately, Marius was afraid of Sura's anger and fled to Africa. Unfortunately, Sura's officers (excluding his governor) soon abandoned him. Sura's luck won't last long.

Public enemy Sula

Sura gained a ruthless reputation for allowing his men to rob and murder when they saw fit. After Colin Gates' last conflict, it was said that the Tiber River was full of bodies.

When fighting broke out in the street and the Senate opposed him, Sura realized that his best decision was to retreat eastward. He fled the city and chose to March on Mithrage with six legions. Marius returned to Rome, where he began a five-day murder and plunder, where he was appointed consul again, but died in 86 BC shortly after. Many supporters of Sula were executed. The rebellious Sura refused to obey the summons and returned to the city for trial. At the urging of Consul Sinner, the Roman Senate declared him an enemy of the country and sentenced him to death. (www.Lishixinzhi.Com) Sura ignored the wishes of sinatra and the Senate and continued to advance eastward, not only defeating Mithradas, but also suppressing the Greek rebellion. During his stay in Athens, Sura once again won his ruthless reputation. He allowed his men to plunder and murder when they thought fit, and finally destroyed the forest that the great philosophers Plato and Aristotle "reflected the human condition". Even the ancient symbol of Athens, the Acropolis, was looted. He will run in the East for five years.

In 83 BC, when Sura returned to Rome, the commanders cassius mettler Pius, Leon Signius crassus and Gneus Pompeii Magnus joined Sura. Together, they will defeat those who are still loyal to the late Marius. In the last battle, Sura defeated her opponent in Colin Gates, a suburb of Rome. 3,000 people will be captured and another 3,000 will surrender. They were all held in the campus martius until they were executed. Their bodies were unceremoniously thrown into the Tiber River. It is said that the Tiber River is full of bodies; It is said that about 10000 people died. Wisely, the Senate recognized Sura's victory in the east and was persuaded to appoint him as a dictator and grant him immunity from past actions.

Exercise dictatorship over ...

Sura's first act was to dig out Marius' ashes and throw them into the Tiber River. Similarly, all the supporters of the former consul were executed. A total of 80 senators and 2600 Roman knights were either executed or exiled; The Senate is exhausted. He posted a banned list on the forum, listing criminals whose property will be confiscated. With the victory of the East and the success of Rome, Sura felt really lucky. After admitting this fact, he added the word "Felix" to his name, meaning "lucky" or "Venus's darling".

Although he sought the approval of the Senate, in fact, Sura had unlimited power to make or repeal laws. In 8 1 BC, Sura promulgated a series of reforms that were regarded as restoring or "cleaning up the mess". Because of his hatred for the guard Rufus in the past, he restricted the power of the guard by limiting their veto power; He increased the number of judges and administrators; He appointed judges in the Senate to increase its number; Finally, through stricter control over those who have empires outside Italy. In addition to these and other reforms, he built a new court, rebuilt the Senate and Jupiter in two temples, and was struck by lightning or, according to another version, burned. Throughout the process, he assured the citizens that he would not weaken their rights. Even the skeptical Cicero agrees with Sura's purpose, although he doesn't like this method. After granting land in Campania and Etruscan to veterans, he lived in seclusion in his villa in the Bay of Naples in 79 BC, where he died a year later. His epitaph reads "No better friends, no worse enemies".

heritage

Sura is considered arrogant and heartless, although he personally claims that he has never sought tyranny. A historian said that he showed how the army was loyal to the individual rather than the country. Although he had an ugly birthmark on his face-the Athenians cruelly compared it to oatmeal and mulberry-he considered himself lucky. Although she was penniless at first, a rich widow left her property to him. Although history thinks he is a ruthless commander-in-chief, he likes literature and art since he was a child and wanders around the theater everywhere. His luck will lead him to defeat Jugurta, Germans and Mitterrand Radat. He was promoted from judge to consul. He thought he was betrayed in Rome, fled the eastern city and came back as a dictator. However, the reforms he initiated cannot save the future of the city. With the death of Caesar and the birth of the empire under Augustus, Rome will be reborn and continue to be the dominant force in the next 500 years.