During the absence of Sulla, Marius returned to Italy. Entering Rome in
86 B. C., he filled the entire city with slaughter, and in particular he
caused the murder of the leading senators that had supported his rival.
Marius then caused himself to be proclaimed consul without going through
an election; but a fortnight later he died.
Notwithstanding the death of Marius, the Marian party still continued in
power. Sulla, hearing of their successes, hastily concluded a peace with
Mithridates, and hurried to Italy (83 B. C.). After a severe struggle,
Sulla utterly overthrew the Marians. The blood of massacre then flowed
a second time,--in a yet greater stream. Lists of proscribed persons,
embracing all who belonged to the people’s party, were published every
day, and the porch of Sulla’s house was full of heads.
Having put down all his enemies, Sulla caused himself to be proclaimed
dictator for an unlimited time (81 B. C.). He then proceeded to
re-organize the government wholly in the interest of the aristocratic
party; but to the great surprise of every one he three years afterward
resigned his power and retired to private life. Sulla died in 78 B. C.;
he was honored with a magnificent funeral, and a monument with the
following epitaph written by himself:
“I am Sulla the Fortunate, who in the course of my life have surpassed
both friends and enemies; the former by the good, the latter by the
evil, I have done them.”