Editing Sulla (section)

=== Cilician governorship (96–93 BC) ===
[[File:Sulla Glyptothek Munich 309.jpg|thumb|So-called "Sulla", a copy (probably from the time of Augustus) after a portrait of an important Roman from the second century BC, with similarities to the so-called "Marius", suggesting that both statues were conceived and exhibited together as either siblings or rivals; [[Munich]], [[Glyptothek]].]]

His term as praetor was largely uneventful, excepting a public dispute with [[Gaius Julius Caesar Strabo]] (possibly his brother-in-law) and his magnificent holding of the ''ludi Apollinares''. The next year, 96&nbsp;BC, he was assigned – "probably ''pro consule'' as was customary" – to [[Cilicia]] in [[Asia Minor]].{{sfn|Keaveney|2005|p=30}}<ref>{{harvnb|Badian|2012|ps=, stating merely, "He was assigned Cilicia ''pro consule''".}}</ref>

While governing Cilicia, Sulla received orders from the Senate to restore [[Ariobarzanes I of Cappadocia|Ariobarzanes]] to the throne of [[Cappadocia]]. Ariobarzanes had been driven out by [[Mithridates VI of Pontus]], who wanted to install one of his own sons ([[Ariarathes IX of Cappadocia|Ariarathes]]) on the Cappadocian throne. Despite initial difficulties, Sulla was successful with minimal resources and preparation; with few Roman troops, he hastily levied allied soldiers and advanced quickly into rugged terrain before routing superior enemy forces. His troops were sufficiently impressed by his leadership that they hailed him ''[[imperator]]''.{{sfn|Keaveney|2005|pp=31–32}}

Sulla's campaign in Cappadocia had led him to the banks of the [[Euphrates]], where he was approached by an embassy from the [[Parthian Empire]]. Sulla was the first Roman magistrate to meet a Parthian ambassador. At the meeting, he took the seat between the Parthian ambassador, [[Orobazus]], and Ariobarzanes, seeking to gain psychological advantage over the Parthian envoy by portraying the Parthians and the Cappadocians as equals, with Rome being superior.{{sfn|Keaveney|2005|p=32}} While the Parthian ambassador, Orobazus, was executed upon his return to Parthia for allowing this humiliation, the Parthians ratified the treaty, establishing the Euphrates as a clear boundary between Parthia and Rome.{{sfn|Keaveney|2005|pp=32–33}} At this meeting, Sulla was told by a [[Chaldea]]n seer that he would die at the height of his fame and fortune. This prophecy was to have a powerful hold on Sulla throughout his lifetime.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2009|pp=174–179}}{{sfn|Keaveney|2005|p=33}}

In 94&nbsp;BC, Sulla repulsed the forces of [[Tigranes the Great]] of [[Armenia]] from Cappadocia.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2009|p=173}} He may have stayed in the east until 92&nbsp;BC, when he returned to Rome;{{sfn|Badian|2012}} Keaveney places his departure in the year 93&nbsp;BC.{{sfn|Keaveney|2005|p=35}} Sulla was regarded to have done well in the east: he had restored Ariobarzanes to the throne, been hailed ''imperator'' by his men, and was the first Roman to treat successfully with the Parthians. With military and diplomatic victory, his political fortunes seemed positive. However, his candidature was dealt a blow when he was brought up on charges of extorting Ariobarzanes. Even though the prosecutor declined to show up on the day of the trial, leading to Sulla's victory by default, Sulla's ambitions were frustrated.{{sfn|Keaveney|2005|p=35}}