But reinforcements came up from the gates; another division of the Sullans made preparations for turning the defenders by the street of the Subura; the latter were obliged to retire.

At the temple of Tellus, where the Esquiline begins to slope towards the great Forum, Marius attempted once more to make a stand; he adjured the senate and equites and all the citizens to throw themselves across the path of the legions.

But he himself had transformed them from citizens to mercenaries; his own work turned against him: they obeyed not the government, but their general.

Even when the slaves were summoned to arm under the promise of freedom, not more than three of them appeared.

Nothing remained for the leaders but to escape in all haste through the still unoccupied gates; after a few hours Sulla was absolute master of Rome.