The time of Sertorius' life is one that is constantly studied by those interested in the Roman Republic - the rise and fall of Marius, Cinna, Sulla, and a dozen other notables. And yet, Sertorius remains one of the most overlooked men of his time.

His story is an inspiring one. A 'New Man' from Sabinum, a country squire not unlike Gaius Marius before him, with a military ability to defeat the greatest generals of his time, ultimately betrayed and killed by his own men.

Plutarch, Sallust, Appian, and several other ancient historians all wrote on him, and his life and deeds became the stuff of legend in the ancient Roman empire. He was present at Arausio, a defeat worse than Cannae - Aquae Sextiae and Vercellae, two of the greatest victories in the Republic's history - the Social or Marsic War, commonly seen as a prelude to the Civil Wars that soon followed - Cinna and Marius' takeover of Rome itself, Sulla's march on Rome - all this and more.

He was a well-known general, an able administrator, a gifted orator - all values and traits common to the Great Men of his time. And yet, the classification of his birth as a 'municipalis' forever barred his way to the heights of power.

Sertorius' story is one of defeat, victory, tragedy and success on a scale that few men of history can claim.

I owe great thanks to Phillip O. Spann's Quintus Sertorius and the Legacy of Sulla for a great deal of the subject matter in this book, as well as all the ancient authors - Plutarch, Appian, Sallust, Livy, and more.

LVF