Lucius Cornelius Cinna

Lucius Cornelius Cinna entered the world before 130 BC into a patrician family that lacked recent distinction. The historian Theodor Mommsen once argued the Cornelii Cinnae were plebeians, yet modern scholars largely view them as true patricians. His father may have served as consul in 127 BC, though some sources identify him while others make the connection explicit. Cinna married Annia and they produced three children together: two daughters and one son who shared his name. His eldest daughter wed Gaius Julius Caesar during Cinna's second consulship in 86 BC. This union linked Cinna directly to the future dictator who would later hold the consulship of 59 BC. His younger daughter married Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, a man who died in 81 BC. Their homonymous son escaped Sulla's retribution by fleeing to Quintus Sertorius after the civil war ended. He eventually received amnesty under the lex Plautia and returned to Rome to become praetor in 44 BC.

The Electoral Crisis Of Eighty-Eight Bc

Two major questions dominated Roman politics in 88 BC regarding citizenship and military command. Publius Sulpicius Rufus sought to enroll Italian allies equally into the thirty-five tribes to curry their favor. Politicians opposed this move because they wished to pack Italians into limited existing or newly created tribes. Mithridates VI Eupator had recently invaded Asia, creating a lucrative opportunity for any commander. Sulpicius attempted to transfer Lucius Cornelius Sulla's command against Mithridates to the aged general Gaius Marius. Sulla suborned his army to march on Rome and overturn these actions. He invalidated Sulpicius' laws and banished twelve men including Sulpicius and Marius. The Senate rejected Sulla's candidate Publius Servilius Vatia Isauricus and elected Cinna with Gnaeus Octavius instead. Sulla tried to induce Cinna and Octavius to swear not to overturn arrangements publicly before declaring winners. Octavius took the oath seriously while Cinna did not. This election occurred during deep revulsion over Sulla's march on Rome.

When was Lucius Cornelius Cinna born and what was his family status?

Who did Lucius Cornelius Cinna marry and how many children did he have?

Cinna married Annia and they produced three children together: two daughters and one son who shared his name. His eldest daughter wed Gaius Julius Caesar during Cinna's second consulship in 86 BC while his younger daughter married Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus.

How did Lucius Cornelius Cinna become consul in 86 BC after Sulla marched on Rome?

The Senate rejected Sulla's candidate Publius Servilius Vatia Isauricus and elected Cinna with Gnaeus Octavius instead. This election occurred during deep revulsion over Sulla's march on Rome when Octavius took an oath seriously while Cinna did not.

What happened to Lucius Cornelius Cinna at the end of his life in 84 BC?

Appian reports Cinna attempted to impose discipline which culminated in mutiny and his death among soldiers waiting at Ancona. Plutarch offers alternative story about soldiers fearing Cinna assassinated young Pompey though this lacks credibility.

Why did Lucius Cornelius Cinna ally with the Samnites during the civil war?

The Samnites demanded citizenship and release of prisoners when Metellus negotiated peace. Cinna offered these concessions and gained the Samnites as allies before storming Rome through gates opened by a defected military tribune.

Lucius Cornelius Cinna

The Electoral Crisis Of Eighty-Eight Bc

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Common questions

When was Lucius Cornelius Cinna born and what was his family status?

Who did Lucius Cornelius Cinna marry and how many children did he have?

How did Lucius Cornelius Cinna become consul in 86 BC after Sulla marched on Rome?

What happened to Lucius Cornelius Cinna at the end of his life in 84 BC?

Why did Lucius Cornelius Cinna ally with the Samnites during the civil war?

War On Octavius And Siege

Extra-Legal Killings And Purge

Dominatio And Legislative Reform

Military Preparations Against Sulla