HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 35 



years of incredible exertions, the city of Carthage was utterly destroyed (thus 

 ending the Tuird Punic War). The territory became a Tvoman province, 

 and the name was merged in that of Africa, 146 J3.C. Some more 

 conquests were made. Rome, occupying, 200 years before, so frail and pre- 

 carious a position, now stood forth mistress of the world, having extended 

 her sovereignty over all Italy, Sicily, Spain, Sardinia, Corsica, Portugal, 

 Africa, Liguria (Genoa), Gallia Cisalpina, Macedonia, Achaia (Greece), and 

 Asia Minor. 



When all foreign excitement had ceased, the old quarrels between the 

 Patricians and Plebeians were renewed. The poor groaned under the 

 oppressions and the assumptions of the rich, and the parties gave vent to 

 their fury in bloody civil wars. A general demoralization also contributed 

 towards the ruin of the republic. 



At this time, the wars with the Cimbri and Teutones took place, and the 

 Eomans here also were the victors (102-101). To this conflict suc- 

 ceeded the Social War (91-89 B.C.). The Marsi, Peligni, Picentines, 

 Samnites, Lucanians, &c., conspired against the republic. Rome expended 

 some of her best blood and vast treasures, and at last suppressed the rebellion. 

 IS'ext Mithridates YI., in Asia, rose against Rome. Sylla was intrusted with 

 the command of the troops destined for this war ; this preference galled 

 Marius, who contrived, by the influence of the tribune Sulpicius, to 

 obtain for himself the command. Sylla, immediately leaving Capua with 

 six legions, ajDpeared suddenly before Rome, 88 B.C. After a violent 

 combat with the Marian faction, he entered the city ; procured the 

 outlawry of Marius and eight of his principal adherents; restored the 

 influence of the aristocracy ; caused the election of two consuls (Caius 

 Octavius and Cinna, the latter a friend of Marius) ; and went himself as 

 proconsul to Greece. Marius, after his proscription, had fled to Africa, but 

 even in the ruins of Carthage he was denied refuge. Sylla had scarcely 

 left Rome when new troubles broke out there. Cinna was removed from 

 his ofiice and banished, but soon returned, with Marius, at the head of an 

 army which they had succeeded in enlisting, and Rome was forced to open 

 her gates to them (87). Sylla's adlierents were slaughtered, and Marius and 

 Cinna made themselves consuls ; the former died soon after {S6). 



In the meantime, the expedition of Sylla resulted victoriously. He 



. completely conquered Athens, 87 B.C. ; overthrew Archelaus, the com- 

 mander of Mithridates, at Cheronea and Orchomenus, 86 B.C. ; and 

 crossing to Asia, concluded an advantageous peace with Mithridates, 



,^^ B.C. 



r,' Valerius Flaccus, the successor of Marius in the consulate, now 

 proceeded from Rome in order to oppose Sylla ; but many of his 

 adherents deserted to Sylla. Flaccus was murdered by his own subaltern 

 leader. Flavins Fimbria. Sylla onl}^ turned his forces against this same 

 Fimbria after having ratified the peace with Mithridates. The troops of 

 Fimbria soon deserted him, going over to Sylla; and Fimbria, in despair, 

 made one of his own warriors stab him. Sylla, after taking the oath of 

 jillegiance from the troops, landed at Brindusium, 83 B.C. Metellus, and 



20*7 



