George P. Baker explores the life of Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, known more commonly as Sulla. Sulla was a Roman general and statesman of the Late Republic in Rome, and was head of the optimates in an explosive period in Roman history. In the years of conflict between the optimates and the populares, Sulla revived the office of dictator, and used his powers to remove key leaders of his opposition. Baker considers Sulla's life among one of the crucial episodes on history, with particular importance to readers of his day. (Summary by Mark Harrington)