The adventures which befell him in his wanderings will be described in the following chapter.
[Sidenote: Sylla made dictator.] [Sidenote: He resigns his power.] Sylla was now in the possession of absolute power.

He was master of Rome, and of all the countries over which Rome held sway.

Still he was nominally not a magistrate, but only a general returning victoriously from his Asiatic campaign, and putting to death, somewhat irregularly, it is true, by a sort of martial law persons whom he found, as he said, disturbing the public peace.

After having thus effectually disposed of the power of his enemies, he laid aside, ostensibly, the government of the sword, and submitted himself and his future measures to the control of law.

He placed himself ostensibly at the disposition of the city.
They chose him dictator, which was investing him with absolute and unlimited power.