It is instructive to follow the trajectory of general and scholarly interest in the ancient Roman Republic.

Caesar is almost always the way in. Augustus, inevitably, the way out. Is there any other path?

Well, of course, there is.

Try following Sulla into and through the Republic and you can gain a better understanding of many divisions that threatened Rome.

And so I will try ... in just a little while.

Briefly, let me suggest that understanding the rivalry between Marius and Sulla helps us understand Caesar's ultimate rivalry with Pompey.

If Sulla can be compared to any modern dictator (with some slight benefit of gaining insight rather than stirring hornets' nests) that dictator would be Tito of Yugoslavia. Remember that nation? Remember Tito? Just for the moment think about what was happening in Italy before Caesar. Yes, the so called "Social War," or really rebellion of Rome's socii, her allies. In some ways, Rome lost the Social War. Italy unified as a result and the dictator (Sulla) performed the same miracle that Tito did in Yugoslavia.

By enlarging the number of administrative offices along the cursus honorum, Sulla increased opportunities for new men and equites.

I can go on ...

Cornelia, you can come out now.