Decline of the Roman Republic
Aug 1, 2004
After the death of Sulla in 78 BC, additional and expected power grabs were the result. Unpopular while he was still alive, Sulla?s reforms went under immediate attack without fear of reprisal. Political turmoil was once again the call of the day and various personalities emerged from the restraints of Sulla?s power. Among these leading men were his former supporters such as M. Aemilius Lepidus, Q. Lutatius Catulus and Marcus Licinius Crassus. Other men who opposed Sulla, such as Sertorius in Spain figured prominently as well. Two men however, rose above them all. Marcus Tullius Cicero rose to prominence by becoming arguably the most gifted orator and politician in the history of the world, while another, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, stood above them all as the leading personality before Caesar.