The Grass Crown

Rome and Italy, 97–88 BCE. Gaius Marius has reached the summit of public honour but is ageing, politically isolated and unwilling to surrender his claim to leadership. Sulla, once his subordinate, advances through office and battlefield distinction as Rome’s Italian allies demand the citizenship they believe their military service has earned. When reform fails, the dispute becomes the Social War and forces Romans to fight communities that have long supplied their armies.

The eastern challenge of Mithridates VI then makes command of a lucrative war the decisive prize in Roman politics. Sulla’s appointment, its transfer to Marius and Sulla’s march on Rome destroy restraints that had kept political competition within civic institutions. With Sulla abroad, Cinna and the exiled Marius return against the capital, turning rivalry into massacre and civil war.