81 BCE · Magistrates

Dictators

L. Cornelius Sulla Felix

7 magistracies , aged 57 at this time

Broughton: Within this year Sulla celebrated his triumph over Mithridates (a), and probably carried through the major portion of his administrative and constitutional reforms: 1. The additions of 300 persons from the knights to the depleted Senate (b), and the requirement of admittance to the Senate through the quaestorship (c); 2. Increase of the number of Quaestors to 20 (d), and of the Praetors to eight (e; see below, on the courts); 3. The order, interval, and probable age limits for the quaestorship, praetorship, and consulship, with provision against repetition of the consulship within ten years (f); 4. The tribunician veto was limited, the right to initiate legislation removed, and also the right to hold further office (g); 5. Various laws relating to maiestas, in particular those intended to restrain provincial governors (h; and see 55, Promagistrates, on Gabinius); 6. The reform of the courts, which included the establishment of seven standing quaestiones and the restoration of the juries to the senators (i); 7. Increase of colleges of pontiffs and augurs to 15 members each, and restoration of the practice of co-optation (j); 8. Laws to regulate coinage and sumptuary matters (k); 9. Abolition of corn doles (l); 10. Laws depriving hostile towns and individuals of citizenship (m). On his proscriptions, see 82, Promagistrates; and on his colonies, see T. Frank, ESAR 1.220f.; and RE s. v. "Colonia."

Sources (14)

Broughton, MRR2
- OGIS 441; Act. Tr., Degrassi 84f., 563; see 82, Dictator
- (a) Cic. Leg. Man. 8; Act. Tr.; Val. Max. 2.8.7; Plin. NH 33.16; Plut. Sull. 34; App. BC 1.101; Eutrop. -5.9; cf. Grueber, CRRBM 2.461f.; Inser. Ital. 13.3.18-C1L12.1, p. 196
- (b) Sall. Cat. 37.6; Dion. Hal. 5.77.4; App. BC 1.100; Liv. Per. 89; cf. Hill, CQ 26 [1932] 170ff.
- (c) Tac. Ann. 11.22
- (d) Tac. Ann. 11.22; CIL 12.2.587
- (e) Vell. 2.89.3; Dio 42.51.3; 53.32.2; Pomponius in Dig. 1.2.2.32; cf. Cic. ND 3.74; Cluent. 147; and see Mommsen, Str. 2.200-202, and 527f.
- (f) Cic. Phil. 11.11; App. BC 1.100-101; cf. Cic. Leg. Man. 62; Leg. 3.9; Phil. 5.47; Caes. BC 1.32; Liv. 7.42.2; 10.13.8; see Mommsen, Str. 1.567-572
- (g) Cic. Leg. 3.22; Verr. 2.1.155, cf. 2.1.122; Cluent. 110; Caes. BC 1.5, and 7.3; Sall. Hist. 3.48.8 and 12M; Dion. Hal. 5.77.4; Vell. 2.30.4; Ascon. 67, 78, 81C; Plut. Caes. 4.2; Suet. Iul. 5; App. BC 1.100; 2.29; Liv. Per. 89; Auct. Vir. Ill. 75.11; cf. Cic. Verr. 2.1.122; Tull. 38; Ps.Ascon. 255 Stangl
- (h) Cic. Pis. 50; Fam. 3.6.3 and 6, and 10.6, and 11.2; Ascon. 59, 60, 62C; cf. Auct. Ad Herenn. 2.17; Cic. Cluent. 97 and 99; QF 3.2.3; Fam. 1.9.25; Plut. Luc. 35.9
- (i) Cic. Verr. 1.37 and 47-49; 2.2.77; Cluent. 55; Vell. 2.32.3; Tac. Ann. 11.22; Ps.-Ascon. 189, 218, and 221 Stangl; Schol. Gron. 326 Stangl; Dig. 1.2.2.32; on the q. de repetundis, see Cic. Rab. Post. 9 and 11; Cluent. 104; de sicariis et veneficis, C;.c. Clueit. 147-148 and 151-157; Instit. 4.4.8, and 18.5-6; Dig. 48.1.1, and 8.1-17; Paul. Sent. 5.23, FIRA 2.408-410; C. Theod. 9.14; Cod. 9.16; de falsis, Cic. Verr. 2.1.108; ND 3.74; Suet. Aug. 33; Ps.-Ascon. 248 Stangl; Instit. 4.18.7; Dig. 48. 1.1, and 10.1-33; Paul. Sent. 5.25, FIRA 2.410-412; C. Theod. 9.19; ,Cod. 9.22; de peculatu, Cic. ND 3.74; Mur. 42; cf. Cluent. 147; Verr. 1.39; 2.1.11; 2.2.83; de ambitu, Cic. Cluent. 147; Schol. Bob. 78 Stangl
- (j) Liv. Per. 89; Dio 37.37.1; Auct. Vir. Ill. 75.11; Ps.-Ascon. 188 Stangl; cf. Cic. Leg. Agr. 2.18; Serv. Ad Aen. 6.73; Tac. Ann. 6.12
- (k) Gell. 2.24.11; Macrob. Sat. 3.17.11; cf. Plut. Sull. 35.3; Comp. Lys. and Sull. 3.4
- (l) Sall. Hist. 1.55.11M; cf. Gran. Lic. 43B
- (m) Cic. Caec. 95 and 102, cf. 18; Dom. 79; Leg. Agr. 2.78; 3.5; cf. Sall. Hist. 1.55.6M; Dion. Hal. 8.80.2; Liv. Per. 89; App. BC 1.100; Ps.-Ascon. 189 Stangl

Consuls

M. Tullius Decula

1 magistracy

MT: No further comments in MRR2

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- Cn. Cornelius Cn. f. Cn. n. Dolabella Pat. (134) Pr. by S4 Cic. Leg. Agr. 2.35; Fast. Cap., Degrassi 54f., 130, 484f. (Tullius' name entire; Cn. Q ------ ]); App. BC 1.100; Gell. 15.28.3; Chr. 354 (Decola et Dolabella); Fast. Hyd. (Diecula et Dolabella); Chr. Pasc. # Cassiod.

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella (): 81 BCE (Consul)

L. Cornelius Sulla Felix (): 81 BCE (Dictator)

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Papirius Carbo Arvina (pr. 83) (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella

1 magistracy

MT: No further comments in MRR2

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- Cn. Cornelius Cn. f. Cn. n. Dolabella Pat. (134) Pr. by S4 Cic. Leg. Agr. 2.35; Fast. Cap., Degrassi 54f., 130, 484f. (Tullius' name entire; Cn. Q ------ ]); App. BC 1.100; Gell. 15.28.3; Chr. 354 (Decola et Dolabella); Fast. Hyd. (Diecula et Dolabella); Chr. Pasc. # Cassiod.

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

M. Tullius Decula (): 81 BCE (Consul)

L. Cornelius Sulla Felix (): 81 BCE (Dictator)

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Papirius Carbo Arvina (pr. 83) (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Praetors

Mam. Aemilius Lepidus Livianus

probable

2 magistracies , aged 38 at this time

Broughton: As he failed once of election before succeeding to the consulship of 77 (a), this is the latest year possible under the Cornelian law.

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- (a) Cic. off. 2.58; Sall. Hist. 1.86 M

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

D. Junius Brutus (): 77 BCE (Consul)

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Papirius Carbo Arvina (pr. 83) (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

L. Fufidius (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

M. Aemilius Lepidus

3 magistracies , aged 40 at this time

Broughton: The latest date possible under the Cornelian law. Promagistrate in 90 BCE from MRR2: An oppressive governor of Sicily (a).

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- (a) An oppressive governor of Sicily (Cic. Verr. 2.3.212; Ps.-Ascon. 187, and 259 Stangl, where he is termed Praetor).

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

Q. Lutatius Catulus (): 81 BCE (Praetor) , 78 BCE (Consul)

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Papirius Carbo Arvina (pr. 83) (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

L. Fufidius (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Claudius Nero

1 magistracy

Broughton: From Promagistrates 80: Proconsul of Asia (IGRP 4.196). At the insistence of Verres (see below, Legates), he carried through the trial of Philodamus of Lampsacus (a).

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- (a) Cic. Verr. 2.1.71-76 and 83, of. 50; Ps.-Ascon. 236, 242f. Stangl; Schol. Gron. 345 Stangl

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

C. Papirius Carbo Arvina (pr. 83) (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

L. Fufidius (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

M. Aemilius Lepidus (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

M. Minucius Thermus (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella

1 magistracy

MT: No further comments in MRR2

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- Cic. Quinct. 30; Corn. in Ascon. 74C; see 80, Promagistrates.

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Papirius Carbo Arvina (pr. 83) (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

L. Fufidius (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

M. Aemilius Lepidus (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

M. Minucius Thermus (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

L. Fufidius

probable

1 magistracy

Broughton: From 80, Promagistrates: Propraetor (Plut. Sert. 12.3) in Farther Spain, where he was defeated by Sertorius (a).

Sources (2)

Broughton, MRR2
- Sall. Hist. 1.55.22M
- (a) Plut. Sert. 12.3; of. Sall. Hist. 1.55.22M, and IOSM; Oros. 5.21.3

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Papirius Carbo Arvina (pr. 83) (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

M. Aemilius Lepidus (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

M. Minucius Thermus (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Q. Lutatius Catulus

3 magistracies

Broughton: The latest date possible under the Cornelian law

Sources (1)

MRR2

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

M. Aemilius Lepidus (): 81 BCE (Praetor) , 78 BCE (Consul)

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Papirius Carbo Arvina (pr. 83) (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

L. Fufidius (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

M. Minucius Thermus

1 magistracy

Broughton: Sent to Asia in or soon after his praetorship (a).

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- (a) Suet. Iul. 2. 1, praetor; Auct. Vir. Ill. 78.1

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Papirius Carbo Arvina (pr. 83) (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

L. Fufidius (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

M. Aemilius Lepidus (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Sex. Nonius Suffenas

1 magistracy

Broughton: Celebrated the first performance of the Ludi Victoriae Sullanae (a).

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- (a) Grueber, CRRBM 1.470f.; cf. Vell. 2.27.6; CIL 12.1, p. 333; Schol. Gron. 338 Stangl

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Papirius Carbo Arvina (pr. 83) (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

L. Fufidius (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

M. Aemilius Lepidus (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Papirius Carbo Arvina (pr. 83)

3 magistracies , aged 43 at this time

Broughton: An ex-Praetor when besieging Volaterrae in 80 (a). As he supported Sulla he could hardly have attained the office before 81. (b)

Sources (2)

Broughton, MRR2
- (a) Gran. Lic. 39B
- (b) Cf. Cic. Fam. 9.21.3.

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

Q. Sertorius (): 90 BCE (Quaestor) , 83 BCE (Praetor)

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Cn. Cornelius Dolabella (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

L. Fufidius (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

M. Aemilius Lepidus (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

Quaestors

P. Cornelius Lentulus Sura

4 magistracies , aged 33 at this time

MT: No further comments in MRR2. At this time Sulla was dictator. Sura had apparently lost and wasted public funds. Sulla angrily demanded a full account of what happened to the monies. But Sura refused and instead replied that he’ll “offer his leg”. A Roman idiom from when boys play ball and offering a leg was a gesture of admitting an error. “Sura” is the Roman name for leg which is where he got his additional cognomen (a).

Sources (2)

Broughton, MRR2
- Cic. Verr. 2.1.37; cf. Plut. Cic. 17.2; Ps.-Ascon. 234 Stangl.
MT
- (a) Plut. Cic. 17.2

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

Cn. Aufidius Orestes (): 71 BCE (Consul)

L. Valerius Flaccus (): 71 BCE (Quaestor) , 63 BCE (Praetor)

M. Antonius Creticus (): 74 BCE (Praetor)

C. Cosconius (): 63 BCE (Praetor)

C. Pomptinus Pontinius (): 63 BCE (Praetor)

L. Fabius Hispaniensis

1 magistracy

Broughton: Served under C. Annius in Spain (a).

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- (a) Grueber, CRRBM 2.352-356; cf. Sall. Hist. 3.63M

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

A. Manlius Torquatus (q. 81) (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

C. Tarquitius (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

L. (Valerius) Triarius (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

P. Cornelius Lentulus Sura (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

A. Manlius Torquatus (q. 81)

1 magistracy

MT: No further comments in MRR2

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- Grueber, CRRBM 2.463f.; cf. Cic. Planc. 27; and see RE no. 76.

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

C. Tarquitius (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

L. (Valerius) Triarius (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

L. Fabius Hispaniensis (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

P. Cornelius Lentulus Sura (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

C. Tarquitius

1 magistracy

Broughton: Served under C. Annius in Spain (a). Cichorius (RS 167f.) distinguishes him from C. Tarquitius Priscus, who was L. f., and a Legate of Sertorius.

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- (a) Grueber, CRRBM 2.356

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

A. Manlius Torquatus (q. 81) (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

L. (Valerius) Triarius (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

L. Fabius Hispaniensis (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

P. Cornelius Lentulus Sura (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)

L. (Valerius) Triarius

1 magistracy

Broughton: Quaestor Urbanus (a). See 67, Legates.

Sources (1)

Broughton, MRR2
- (a) Cic. Verr. 2.1.37

Career-overlap (5) Magistrates with the closest career overlap; red font indicates family member

A. Manlius Torquatus (q. 81) (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

C. Tarquitius (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

L. Fabius Hispaniensis (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

P. Cornelius Lentulus Sura (): 81 BCE (Quaestor)

C. Claudius Nero (): 81 BCE (Praetor)