Definition of the glossary term Sulla
Sulla (136 B.C. - 78 B.C.) was a legendary general and dictator of Rome. He was born Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix to a high-ranking Patrician family that had lost nearly everything prior to his birth. Young Sulla spent time among the seedier characters of Rome, yet was highly educated, knowing Greek. This diverse upbringing came to serve him well later on.
He was known for being brilliant on the battlefield, and rose through the military and political ranks quickly. Through all of his conquests, including a siege on Athens in 87 B.C and marching on Rome twice in order to regain control of the city, Sulla commanded great respect. He was appointed Dictator by the Roman Senate in 82 B.C. He quickly became quite maniacal in his rule, executing political foes and noble Romans, often for no reason. He even targeted a young Julius Caesar.
Sulla did institute reforms in Rome. He doubled the size of the Senate to 600, and limited the veto power of the tribunes.
Sulla resigned as Dictator after two years in 79 B.C., retiring to his villa in Puteoli. He died of liver failure in 78 B.C.
