A. H. Beesley

The Gracchi Marius and Sulla (Dodo Press) A. H. Beesley

A title by Augustus Henry Beesley about Sulla's first civil war which was one of a series of civil wars in ancient Rome, between Marius and Sulla, between 88 and 87 BC. The Social War (91-87 BC) was fought against the Socii, Roman allies in Italy, and was the result of Rome's intransigence in regarding the civil liberties of its own citizens (Romans) as superior to those of the citizens of the rest of Italy. Subjects of the Roman Republic, these Italian provincials might be called to arms in its defence or might be subjected to extraordinary taxes. The Social War was, in part, caused by the assassination of Marcus Livius Drusus the Younger. At the beginning of the Social War, the Roman aristocracy and Senate were beginning to fear Marius' ambition. In the last rebellion of the Italian allies, Sulla served with brilliance as a general. He outshone both Marius and the consul Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo (the father of Pompey Magnus). As a result of his success in bringing the Social War to a successful conclusion, he was elected consul for the first time in 88 BC, with Quintus Pompeius Rufus as his colleague.