The Purge of Marius

Cicero, then aged 18, was probably there to witness the awful sight of a Roman army bearing down on Rome itself. Old Marius attempted to defend the city, but he ended up fleeing and with his right to command the military seized by force. The next year, as Sulla campaigned against Rome's powerful new foe in the east, Cicero witnessed more chaos and infighting in the capital city. Supporters of Sulla were murdered, including one of the consuls, and Roman heads were spiked in the forum.