Author bio: author- Appian(95-165 AD) was a Roman historian of Greek origin that was born in Alexandria center of learning. Appian records shifts in power and societal changes. He is underrated because we don't know much about him because most of his autobiography was lost. He flourished during the reigns of Emperors of Rome Trajan, Hadrian, and Antoninus Pius. He was around when Rome had its autocratic rule and he is seeing this tyrannical dictator take the empire.
Speaker- Appian, it is from his point of view.
Date and context: the ascendency of generals(100-45 BCE) this took place during the wrath of Sulla, a Roman general that is seeking revenge on mariuss men(82 BCE). This was a time when generals would recruit men that were unemployed and had no land. They were professional soldiers and stayed loyal to the generals allowing them to take run by killing and fear. Marius started this all but Sulla is competing for power against him.
Summary: This description details the atrocities of Sullas tyrannical raise to power. Sulla is inflicting terror on the city of Rome. His seeks to bring out order through fear, but he also said he would bring change to those that followed him and death to those who do not. Sulla goes around killing his enmities in many ways. He started out by going after forty senators and 1600 equites. But he kept going from there. His soldiers would sometimes kill them where they found them or bring them to Sulla. This action made him the de facto leader of the city. The tone of the piece is written in disgust and terror. He is trying to record the tyranny that happened before him and the city. Appian outlines the terrible way in which sullas rose to power.
Key Quotations:
“He finished by saying that he would bring about change which would be beneficial to the people if they would obey him, but of his enemies he would spare none, but would visit them with the utmost severity.”
“Others were dragged through the city and trampled on, none of the spectators daring to utter a word of remonstrance against these horrors.”
“Thus Sulla became king, or tyrant, a de facto-not elected but holding power by force and violence....”
Good work!
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