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Third book of McCullough’s Masters of Rome series which covers the end of the republic from Marius to Antony, 110 BC to the Battle of Actium in 31 and Octavian’s assumption of the title Augustus in 27.

First class research, first class recreation of an alien culture.

Sulla in his old age, a physical wreck, as malignant as ever and now with power to achieve his ends. He is ambitious for himself, and eager for revenge: but he also has a deep sense of Roman traditions and his cruel reign does as much to set Rome back on her constitutional feet as it does to satisfy his personal needs. It is hard to paint a sociopath with a sympathetic brush, but McCullough has done it.