Sulla has served not only with brilliance…

Sulla has served not only with brilliance as a general during the Social War, but also with immense personal bravery.

At Nola he is awarded a Corona Obsidionalis (Obsidional or Blockade Crown), also known as a Corona Graminea (Grass Crown).

This is the highest Roman military honor, awarded for personal bravery to a commander who saves a Roman legion or army in the field.

Unlike all other Roman military honors, it is awarded by acclamation of the soldiers of the rescued army, and consequently very few are ever awarded.

The crown, by tradition, is woven from grasses and other plants taken from the actual battlefield.

By 88 BCE, the war is largely over except for the Samnites, Rome’s ancient rivals, who still hold out.

It is likely that the war would have continued a lot longer had Rome not made concessions to their allies.

As a result of his success in bringing the Social War to a successful conclusion, Sulla is elected consul for the first time in 88 BCE, with Quintus Pompeius Rufus (soon his daughter's father-in-law) as his colleague.