Cinna, Lucius Cornelius (died 84 BC)

Roman magistrate and politician, and opponent of the leader of the senatorial party Sulla. He was consul 87 BC and again 86–84 BC, having seized power by force.

Before leaving Rome to campaign against Mithridates VI, King of Pontus, 87–84 BC, Sulla had allowed Cinna to be elected to the consulship 87 BC on condition that he take an oath not to alter the constitution. Cinna soon violated his oath, riots followed, and he was expelled from the city. Together with Sulla's rival Marius, Cinna returned at the head of an army, seized Rome 87 BC, and was consul for three successive years. The death of Marius 86 BC left Cinna leader of the Popular Party. He was murdered by his own troops while Sulla was still in the East.