What did Sulla think would happen to certain people according to the Latin phrase "Sulla putābat illōs hominēs gladiō moritūrōs esse"?

The phrase "Sulla putābat illōs hominēs gladiō moritūrōs esse" translates to "Sulla thought those men would die by the sword." This indicates that Sulla had a belief about the fate of certain individuals, specifically that they were destined to meet their end in battle or conflict, symbolized by the "sword." The use of "gladiō" (sword) in the phrase is significant as it directly relates to the context of combat and warfare, reinforcing the idea that Sulla anticipated a violent outcome for these men.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the implications of the Latin phrase. The idea of survival, fleeing, or attacking Rome would contradict the meaning of dying by the sword, which specifically denotes an expectation of death in a combat scenario. Therefore, the correct interpretation clearly identifies the expected demise of these individuals through violent means.