Lex Valeria (82 BC)

The Lex Valeria was an 82 BC law under which the Senate of the Roman Republic appointed Lucius Cornelius Sulla dictator of Rome.[1] It also allowed Sulla dictatorial imperium,[2] which gave him total control of the republic and set no limit on his time as dictator.

This decision is even more important because, at the time, leaders were only appointed dictators in times of extreme danger to the city of Rome. This was the first time that a single individual was given dictatorial powers since the end of the Second Punic War, nearly 100 years before.[3] Also, it was the last time an individual would be appointed dictator of Rome until Julius Caesar.

Sulla's powers as dictator

As dictator of Rome, Sulla was granted the power to make numerous decisions within the state. More importantly, as Boatwright notes, "His appointment to it specifically validated all his actions in advance."[4]

The results of the Lex Valeria were as harsh as they were short-lived. Sulla retired as dictator in 81, and died of acute liver failure not long after.[13] Even before his death however, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (elected consul in 78) overturned most of Sulla's acts and re-introduced the grain distributions.

References

  1. Vervaet 2004, p. 37.
  2. Vervaet 2004, p. 38.
  3. Boatwright 2012, p. 194.
  4. Boatwright 2012, p. 194.
  5. Boatwright 2012, p. 194.
  6. Vervaet 2004, p. 38.
  7. Boatwright 2012, p. 194.
  8. Boatwright 2012, p. 194.
  9. Boatwright 2012, p. 195.
  10. Boatwright 2012, p. 195-97.
  11. Boatwright 2012, p. 197.
  12. Boatwright 2012, p. 199.
  13. Boatwright 2012, p. 200.

Bibliography


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