jan 1, 129 BC - Marius and Sulla

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The two most powerful, influential and feared Romans of their day Gaius Marius and Sulla Felix were fierce opponents of one another. Marius was the elder of the two, and backed the pro-reform Populares and their efforts to improve the lives of common people while Sulla backed the Optimates, the conservative faction of aristocrats.

Each of them engaged in campaigns of political terror in an effort to secure their power with the balance of power shifting between the two, each man being effectively exiled at least once.

Marius would come back to power as consul but would die soon after and Sulla would take up the ancient office of dictator, something not done in centuries. He would use his powers to push pro-aristocrat, conservative laws and restrictions before ultimately retiring and living the rest of his life as a private citizen.

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