Li Guangli vs Sulla

Li Guangli led a Han army of 60,000 men to conquer the city-state of Dayuan (Ferghana) to obtain prized 'heavenly horses'. After a two-year siege, Dayuan submitted and provided horses, but the campaign cost tens of thousands of lives.

Li Guangli led a Han army against the Xiongnu but was defeated and captured. His surrender to the Xiongnu was seen as a disgrace, and he later served as a military advisor to the Xiongnu chanyu.

After a failed plot to assassinate the Xiongnu chanyu, Li Guangli was executed by the Xiongnu. His death ended a controversial career marked by both military ambition and ultimate failure.

Sulla led his army into Rome, the first Roman general to do so, to seize control from Marius and his supporters. He declared Marius and his allies enemies of the state, establishing a precedent of military intervention in politics.

Sulla's forces defeated the Samnite and Lucanian allies of the Marians at the Colline Gate in Rome. The victory secured Sulla's control of the city and ended the civil war in Italy.

After defeating his enemies, Sulla was appointed dictator with unlimited powers. He enacted reforms to strengthen the Senate, limit tribunician power, and reorganize the courts, aiming to restore aristocratic control.

Sulla published lists of political enemies, offering rewards for their killing and confiscating their property. Thousands of Roman citizens, including senators and equestrians, were executed or exiled, terrorizing the opposition.

Sulla voluntarily resigned his dictatorship and retired to private life, an unprecedented act. He died the following year, leaving a legacy of constitutional reform and military autocracy.