Faustus (II) Cornelius Sulla

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Faustus Cornelius Sulla (49 BC-9) was a Roman Republic general and consul. The eldest son of the notable Faustus Cornelius Sulla by his wife Pompeia Magna daughter of Pompey and a was general of the Legio XVI Gallica and consul under the Principitate of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. Young Faustus Sulla was also the eldest grandson of the Dictator Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix. He was born in Arrentium in 49 BC.

Due to his ancestry, Faustus Sulla was in a strong position to succeed in the world of Roman politics. Although his father had supported Pompey in the Civil War, his uncle, the great General Barbatus Cornelius Sulla Albinus was one of Octavian's most loyal adherents, and was instrumental in the Battle of Actium. As the ward of Barbatus, young Faustus was favoured by the Augustan court. From his youth, he was a close friend to the imperial step-son Tiberius Claudius Nero, and served as his legate in Germania.

Sulla was a natural soldier and, after his stint as Praetor, was given command of the prestigious XVI Legion stationed in Illyrica. He fell out of favour when it became known that he had fathered a child on his illegitimate half-brother's daughter Ulpia, in return for giving his poor relation money. The child was not considered a member of the Patrician Cornelii, and was known as Gnaeus Ulpius Trajanus, after his grandfather and place of birth.

After living in exile in Gades for seven years, Sulla was belatedly awarded the consulship at the age of 56, in partnership with Tiberius Nero. At this point in his life, Sulla's 40 year old son Lucius had already been consul, and his lack of political recognition had been a source of great embarrassment. His elder son, born Faustus, had been adopted out to his uncle Barbatus, who was almost certain sterile, and was known as Barbatus Cornelius Sulla Albinus Faustullus.

Sulla eventually became a pontifex maximus, but could not be considered 'Augustified' as he tried to overthrow Octavian (future Roman Emperor Augustus) in 9. He was forced to commit suicide, and it is believed that his estate was taken by Octavian.

[edit] Marriages and Children

• First Wife, Junia Albina
  • Faustus Cornelius Sulla, adopted as Barbatus Cornelius Sulla Albinus Faustullus
  • Lucius Cornelius Sulla Faustus
  • Fausta Sulla
  • Proculus Cornelius Sulla Faustus
  • Cossus Cornelius Sulla Faustus
• Second Wife, Caecilia Nepos
  • Illyricus Cornelius Sulla
• by half-niece Ulpia
  • Gnaeus Ulpius Trajanus