Lucius Cornelius Cinna (c.130 - 84 BC)
Lucius Cornelius Cinna was a prominent Roman politician who served as Consul four times between 87 and 84 BC. As a leader of the Marian party, Cinna played a significant role in opposing Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a rival political figure known for his military prowess and sweeping reforms.
Although Cinna's rise to power was fraught with conflict, he ultimately established himself as a key figure in the chaotic landscape of the Roman Republic.
Cinna's tumultuous political career began with his service in the Social War and subsequent Consulship in 87 BC. During his time in office, he engaged in an armed conflict known as the Bellum Octavianum with his co-Consul, Gnaeus Octavius. Cinna's army faced off against Octavius' forces, resulting in bloody battles across the city of Rome, with the Tiber River serving as a demarcation line.
After Sulla left Rome to fight against Mithradates VI of Pontus, Cinna and Octavius had pledged to uphold Sulla's reforms. However, tensions between the two factions continued to escalate, leading to further strife and polarization within the Roman political sphere.
Throughout his four consecutive terms as Consul, Cinna's influence exacerbated existing tensions between the supporters of Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Despite the constant turmoil surrounding his tenure, Cinna's role in Roman history highlights the power struggles and shifting alliances that defined this tumultuous period in the Roman Republic.
Early Life and Family
Lucius Cornelius Cinna was born sometime around the year 130 BC into an ancient Roman patrician family called the Cornelii Cinnæ. This family had a significant presence in Roman politics, though they were not at the height of their distinction during the time of Cinna’s birth.
Their patrician status is debated, with some authors such as Theodor Mommsen considering them plebeians, but the majority view them as patricians. Cinna's father may have held the position of Consul in 127 BC.
Cinna's family played a crucial role in the political landscape of Rome during the civil wars of the 80's BC. Despite their nobility, the family faced challenges when they lost some of their political rights for opposing the dictator Sulla.
Political Career
Before his rise to the Consulship, Cinna held the rank of Praetor, a significant position in the Roman magisterial hierarchy in its own right, responsible for overseeing judicial matters. He is known to have served in the Social War, which took place between 91 and 88 BC. During this conflict, Cinna was likely one of the legates leading the Roman offensive against the Marsi, resulting in a Roman victory in 89 BC.
Cinna's political career took a significant turn when he became Consul for the first time in 87 BC. As mentioned in the introduction, Cinna aligned himself with the Marian faction, who favored the interests of the common people, such as the Tribunes of the Plebs.
During his first Consulship, Cinna shared power with Gnaeus Octavius, a staunch supporter of Sulla. However, Cinna opposed Sulla's policies and, using his authority as Consul, repealed some of Sulla’s laws. In response, Sulla levied a large army and marched towards Rome, ultimately leading to the exile of both Cinna and the radical reformer Publius Sulpicius Rufus.
Cinna did not remain in exile for long, however. He returned to Rome with a military force, sparking a civil war. Backed by his ally, Gaius Marius, Cinna defeated the forces of the Consul Lucius Valerius Flaccus and successfully reinstated himself as Consul, eventually becoming the sole Consul by 86 BC.
Cinna's success in winning this mutiny allowed him to secure his Consulship. However, Rome soon came under siege by Pompeius Strabo's forces. Desperate to ensure the city's safety, Cinna and Marius negotiated a peace settlement. This resulted in coordinated efforts from both parties to lift the siege at Janiculum.
Cinna held the Consulship for four consecutive years, a stark departure from the Roman constitution, which permitted only one year in office. In his time as Consul, Cinna enacted various measures in line with the Marian faction, including the restoration of the Tribunes' power and attempting to establish a more democratic Roman Senate. However, his rule also represented a shift towards a dictatorial approach, consolidating power to maintain control over the unstable Republic.
While serving as Consul, Cinna attempted to implement several reforms focusing on legislation and citizenship rights. Despite these efforts, the Roman Republic experienced political turmoil, eventually leading to a bloody purge orchestrated by Cinna and Marius. This massacre targeted their political enemies, including Sulla's supporters, further emphasizing the tension between the two factions.
Cinna's political fortunes were ultimately tied to the broader power struggles that eventually led to the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
Conflicts and Civil Wars
The rivalry between Cinna and Sulla can be traced back to their opposing views on the political reforms proposed by Publius Sulpicius Rufus. Cinna supported the passage of these reforms, which aimed to address corruption, bribery, and uneven distribution of power, while Sulla vehemently opposed them. Following Sulla's departure to fight Mithridates VI in the East, Cinna sought to repeal Sulla's laws and even threatened him with prosecution.
Cinna was initially successful in his efforts against Sulla's allies, such as Lucius Valerius Flaccus and Gnaeus Papirius Carbo, forcing them into exile. However, his rule was marked by instances of force and extra-judicial killings against his opposition. This approach garnered him strongmen supporters like Quintus Sertorius and Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo, but also earned him many enemies.
Upon hearing of the growing opposition against him, Sulla returned to Rome with his army, sparking Sulla's civil war. The war pitted Sulla and his followers against the Cinna-Marius faction. During the conflict, key allies of Cinna, such as Sertorius and Carbo, were targeted by Sulla's forces, while Cinna himself was killed in a mutiny of his own troops in 84 BC.
In the aftermath of Cinna's death, Sulla emerged victorious, imposing his own vision of political rule and establishing himself as dictator. The legacy of Lucius Cornelius Cinna, despite his brief reign, remains an important example of the power struggles and impact of civil wars on the crumbling Roman Republic.
Death and Legacy
Lucius Cornelius Cinna met his death in 84 BC, when he attempted to ferry his troops across the Adriatic Sea at Ancona to continue their fight against Sulla in the First Mithridatic War. However, his men mutinied and killed him. Despite his death, his family members continued to play a role in Roman politics for years to come.
One notable descendant was his son, who also bore the name Lucius Cornelius Cinna. He continued the family's tradition of siding with the Marian faction and later joined the rebellions of both Lepidus and Sertorius during the 70s BC. Although these uprisings were ultimately unsuccessful, Cinna's son managed to regain some political rights, and was eventually granted the rank of Praetor in 44 BC.
Cinna's death also had broader ramifications, as it exposed the vulnerability of the Marian faction and contributed to the rise of other ambitious politicians, such as Quintus Pompeius Rufus and Julius Caesar. The changing tides of Roman politics witnessed alliances between powerful figures such as Lepidus, Brutus, and Octavian, which further emphasized the complex power dynamics and shifting alliances that defined this era.
In addition to his political legacy, Cinna's actions during his time as governor and his handling of troops had a lasting impact on the overall understanding of Roman governance and military organization. His experiences laid the groundwork for future Roman leaders to adopt more centralized and efficient strategies to maintain control over their provinces and legions in foreign territories.
Ultimately, Lucius Cornelius Cinna's death and legacy provide a snapshot of the turbulence and constant power struggle characterizing the Roman Republic during the civil wars of the late 2nd and early 1st centuries BC. Despite his untimely end, his influence extended far beyond his life, shaping Roman politics and military organization for generations to come.
