Caesar: Life of a Colossus

Book Description

As Adrian Goldsworthy writes in the introduction to this book, “in his fifty-six years, Caesar was at times many things, including a fugitive, prisoner, rising politician, army leader, legal advocate, rebel, dictator . . . as well as husband, father, lover and adulterer.” In this landmark biography, Goldsworthy examines all of these roles and places his subject firmly within the context of Roman society in the first century B.C.

Tracing the extraordinary trajectory of Caesar’s life from birth through assassination, Goldsworthy covers not only Caesar’s accomplishments as charismatic orator, conquering general, and powerful dictator but also lesser-known chapters during which he was high priest of an exotic cult, captive of pirates, seducer not only of Cleopatra but also of the wives of his two main political rivals, and rebel condemned by his own country. Ultimately, Goldsworthy realizes the full complexity of Caesar’s character and shows why his political and military leadership continues to resonate some two thousand years later.

Customer Reviews:

Where is Caesar when we need him today?.......2007-09-19

What a great read! I took this to the beach over the summer, and enjoyed it thoroughly. How easy it is for us in our "modern world" to become numb to the fact that understanding the past gives us invaluable perspective on the present. How would Caesar fare up in debate with Obama and Rudy? That would be worthy of TV ratings for sure.

Caesar: Hero or Villain?.......2007-09-16

Caius Julius Caesar was a polarizing figure in his own day and probably could be considered one today as well. Adrian Goldsworthy's Caesar: Life of a Colossus provides a balanced, detailed, and highly readable biography of one of the most important figures in history. Rather than summarize and critique Goldsworthy's book, this review will examine the questions: Why was Caesar such a divisive figure? and On balance, was he a hero or a villain?

Let's try to summarize what his detractors and supporters might have said.

His detractors might have said:
1. Caesar destroyed the Roman Republic by seizing power in the Civil War.
2. He started the Civil War when he crossed the Rubicon and invaded Italy with the goal of establishing himself in a position of absolute power.
3. He slaughtered thousands in the Gallic and Civil Wars.
4. Throughout his career, he sought the support of the plebs in a populist and demagogic manner as a means of reaching his goal of absolute power.

His supporters might have said:
1. The Republic had become increasingly dysfunctional since the time of the Gracchi (133 BC). Consuls were murdered by members of the Senate. The consulship had all too frequently been filled based on the use or threat of military power.
2. The Republic with its multiple magistracies elected annually was fine for the Roman City State for which it was created but was an ineffective governmental structure for ruling a vast empire.
3. As a military commander, Caesar often sought peaceful settlements in order to avoid combat. In this, he was often successful in the Gallic War. His failure to peacefully resolve the Civil War was largely due to Pompey's refusal to negotiate.
4. Caesar showed a degree of clemency for defeated enemies that was uncharacteristic of his era. After the Civil War, Caesar, unlike Sulla, did not institute mass proscriptions and seizures of property. Had Caesar lost the Civil War, his adversary, Pompey, would most likely not have been so forgiving.
5. Once he had attained power, Caesar's laws and policies were generally wise. For the most part, his enemies opposed them not on principle but because Caesar had proposed and implemented them outside of the established legislative process.
6. Caesar's enemies were a small group of aristocrats who sought to maintain their exclusive hold on power and feared that Caesar would break that hold.
7. Caesar invaded Italy only after this cabal sought to end his career by denying him the right to stand as a candidate for the consulship.

Well, I guess I have now revealed my own position on Caesar, but don't take my word for it. Read Goldsworthy's book and draw your own conclusion.

Exceptional biography of the First Citizen of Rome.......2007-09-16

Caesar's Rome was a place where political factions seemed to be at constant war with each other. It's a wonder that the Republic of Rome survived as long as it did considering all of the assassinations, battles and debates that raged within the Republic that based its society on a vague set of rules and a very loosely structured bureaucracy which would use gangs as well as violence to persuade lawmakers to do "the right thing".

Goldsworthy provides us with information about what is known about Caesar also documenting the often contradictory sources that exist on his actions and what Roman society thought of him as a leader. The author provides us a context with a brief history of Rome as well as background on the various factions that tried to lead the Roman Republic and their various conflicts. All of these helped shape who Caesar was in his outlook about Roman society, plans and his ambitions as well. The author also gives us a brief summary of Caesar's family history because, again, understanding where he came from ultimately helps us understand his view of himself and place within Roman society and the world.

Goldsworthy's book is well written with a view to enlightening both those interested in history and the lay reader as well. His accessible style doesn't lean too much on overwhelming the reader with too much detail (a flaw that can, in the wrong hands, make a biography didactic and boring to the average reader)but focuses, instead, on engaging the reader in what Roman society was like, why rituals were important and what the various positions within Roman government were responsible for. He also turns a keen eye on the transformation of Rome from a Republic into a dictatorship by Caesar that would endure for generations with Augustus Octavian Caesar's children (including Nero the last of the Juli to be a descendant of Julius Caesar).

Illustrated with pictures of busts of those discussed in the text, drawings, pictures of Roman ruins and the sites where Caesar engaged in battle, Adrian Goldsworthy's book provides readers unfamiliar with Roman society just enough background on the politics and history of the society so that Caesar's story makes sense. This is a very good biography that manages to put Caesar's accomplishments into perspective and also gives us a pretty good sense of what he was like as a man.

Do we really need another book on Caesar? Yes, we do.......2007-09-14

In his new book Caesar : Life of a Colossus, Adrian Goldsworthy writes:

"Part of the fascination with Caesar is because he is so difficult to pin down and because mysteries remain, for instance, as to what he really intended in the last months of his life. In his fifty-six years he was at times many things, including a fugitive, prisoner, rising politician, army leader, legal advocate, rebel, dictator - perhaps even a god - as well as a husband, father, lover and adulterer. Few fictional heroes have ever done as much as Caius Julius Caesar."

The author explores all this with a full and detailed biography. Being the military historian he is, he especially shines when it comes to Caesar's military exploits.

While not minimizing Caesar's faults, Mr. Goldsworthy sees him as "a patriot and very able man." He cannot disguise his admiration for the man, and "[whatever] the rights or wrongs of his actions, it is hard to imagine that in any way his life could have been more dramatic," taking up the theme from the Introduction. He has given the reader a complex and rounded portrait. The general audience, for whom the book is intended, gets its money's worth and hopefully will enjoy the book.

The question, "do we really need another book on Caesar?," can be answered in the affirmative, as a popular history treatment of the subject has been wanting for quite a while, and this one fills the bill.

In the end though, Caesar still remains difficult to pin down, not for want of trying by the author, but because of his truly elusive personality.

The book is nicely illustrated with photos, maps, and battle diagrams. It has the prevailing and annoying habit of publishers not linking the endnotes to the page numbers.

The Definitive Biography? Maybe........2007-08-26

When you consider all the historical figures of the Western World, few would be bigger than Julius Caesar. How big was he? When you consider all the months of the year (and even all the days of the week), only two are named after actual people: July, after Caesar, and August, after Caesar's adopted son Octavian, also known as Augustus. In fact, the solar calendar itself (365 days every three years, followed by 366 in the fourth), was instituted by Caesar, and as Rome went, so went the known world. Caesar's name would become synonymous with leadership, even up to a hundred years ago, with the titles Kaiser and Tsar derived from his name.

Adrian Goldsworthy's biography details Caesar's rise from a youth with a noble name but little wealth or power to back it up to the absolute ruler of the Roman Republic. It would be Caesar who would initiate the transformation of the Republic to the Empire, a process that Augustus would complete. But as Goldsworthy argues, even around the time of Caesar's birth, the Republican structure of government was beginning to fall apart, with people like Marius and Sulla seizing power for better or for worse.

Caesar would spend the early part of his life playing the political game well, getting important patrons and rising in the ranks to the top spot of consul. After his consulship, he would have a successful military career, but when his rivals and enemies tried to oppose him, events would lead to a civil war, with Caesar taking on his former ally, Pompey. When Pompey and his followers were defeated, Caesar reached the pinnacle of his power, but it would not last long as a conspiracy would lead to his assassination.

Goldsworthy's biography of Caesar is generally favorable towards its subject, but he is objective enough to present the negatives as well. He shows clearly that to understand Caesar requires that the reader understands Rome: the way politics worked, the general acceptance of brutal warfare and the institution of slavery, and the roles of men and women. This last is particularly important, as Caesar was quite the womanizer: among his lovers were Cleopatra and Servilia (the mother of his killer, Brutus).

There have been more skillful politicians and successful generals, but rarely do members of these groups intersect. Caesar is one of the few, perhaps the best combination politician/military leader ever (but as Goldsworthy argues, in Rome, there was less distinction between the two). In addition, there are few historical figures who have a life story filled with as much sex, violence and intrigue as Caesar. Goldsworthy does a great job of bringing Julius Caesar and Rome to life, and if you interested in this era, this is a must-read.

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

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Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

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Answers about the Roman Emperors
THE TWELVE CAESARS - SUETONIUS
The Basis of Much Of What We know About These Guys
The Gold Standard of Ancient History
Rome's Tabloid Historian

The Twelve Caesars (Penguin Classics)
Suetonius
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140449213
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Book Description

Translated by Robert Graves and Revised with an Introduction by Michael Grant.

Customer Reviews:

Answers about the Roman Emperors.......2007-08-24

This is an engaging book, full of intersting facts which sometimes are hard to find. The book is written with an easy flow, that keeps your interest till the end.
For avid followers of history, in particular the good and bad of Roman emperors, this is a book for you.

THE TWELVE CAESARS - SUETONIUS.......2007-07-21

I FOUND THIS TITLE BY THE ROMAN AUTHOR SUETONIUS TO BE A FASCINATING AND IN-DEPTH [ IF ACCORDING TO SOME HISTORIANS A BIT BIASED ] OVER-VIEW OF THE FIRST TWELVE RULERS OF ROME WHO HELD OR ADOPTED THE NOMEN OF CAESAR. MY REASON FOR PURCHASING WAS THAT MY OLD PAPERBACK VERSION HAD SUFFERED FROM BEING OVER-READ AND REFERRED TO AND WAS DELAPIDATED.

GAIUS JULIUS WAS OF THE FAMILY - HIS GREAT NEPHEW OCTAVIANUS TOOK HIS NAMES AFTER ADOPTION INTO THE FAMILY AND THEREAFTER THE CAESAR TITLE CAME LESS TO BE A FAMILY TITLE THAN AN INDICATOR THAT THE EMPERORS LOOKED BACK TO THE ASSASSINATED ORIGINAL AS THEIR FOREBEAR IF NOT IN BLOODLINE THEN IN SIMPLE FACT.

IT IS A TITLE THAT SURVIVED DOWN TO THE RUSSIAN CZARS AND THE GERMAN KAISERS. KAI-SER, IN FACT, IS HOW THE NAME CAESAR WAS ORIGINALLY PRO-NOUNCED IN LATIN USEAGE.

WITH NERO THE IMMEDIATE LINE OF THE CAESARS EXTINGUISHED BUT THERE WERE MANY MORE INTERESTING, IF NOT AS DEEPLY INTERESTING, RULERS TO FOLLOW HIM. THE BOOK COVERS THE JULIO-CLAUDIANS, THE THREE INTERIM EMERORS IN 68 AND 69 [ GALBA, OTHO AND VITELLIUS ] AND THE FLAVIANS, VESPASIAN, TITUS AND DOMITIAN.

ALONGSIDE GRAVES' 'I CLAUDIUS', 'THE TWELVE CAESARS' IS A VERY GOOD INTRODUCTION FOR ANYONE SEEKING TO EXAMINE, FROM MANY CENTURIES DIVORCED , THE INTRIGUING AND LITERAL BACK STABBING THAT WENT ON IN IMPERIAL ROME'S EARLY YEARS.

ROGER DESHON - 22 QUEENSCOURT ROAD ALEXANDRA HILLS QLD 4161 AUSTRALIA

The Basis of Much Of What We know About These Guys .......2007-06-16

This is really a fascinating book on so many levels. First so much historical fiction, and drama that has been based on the lives of the Ceasars is indebted to Suetonius as the author who wrote these incredible character sketches. There's much to learn about the personal lives of the famous Roman emperors in this fine translation. This has served as source material for centuries of scholars and writers who found universal truths about human nature and political power in these lives.
Very accessible to the general reader and highly entertaining.

The Gold Standard of Ancient History.......2007-04-17

This translation of Suetonius's Twelve Ceasars translated by Robert Graves with a great introduction by Michael Grant is a history-lover's dream. This is definitely my favorite historial work in translation; it is expertly and lovingly brought to life. To me, anybody should be able to be transported in moments back to ancient Rome in the time of Augustus or Nero and have one hell of a read. Suetonius was a minor government functionary who was given the spectacular opportunity to see the early imperial archives, kind of like a blogger or National Enquirer reporter given the opportunity to look at Clinton-era video surveilance or Nixon's Watergate tapes. This work is one of the most accessible views of ancient history ever. It's filled with lurid sex, gossip, murder, palace coups, degeneracy, monumental building, war, poisonings, etc. If you're going to be a liberal arts major, it pays to know a few dirty stories about the Caesars; this is the book to read.

Rome's Tabloid Historian.......2007-03-26

Suetonius grew up in the years following Nero's reign and wrote these histories while he was the secretary of the emperor Hadrian in the early second century A.D. His book covers the successive reigns of Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian.

The stories focus on the emperors themselves more than the events which took place under their reigns and, although there's certainly some truth to those emperors, many of Suetonius' facts are anecdotal stories and rumors. Suetonius has therefore been called one of the first tabloid writers. Nevertheless, his biographies are rather concise and systematic; touching upon the physical attributes of the ruler, his background, the good deeds (if any) in his reign and then, of course, the bad deeds.

Robert Graves' translation is superb and probalby one of the best ones available. It is quite faithful to the generally jovial mood of Suetonius' work and presented with a good introduction by reputed historian Michael Grant. I can't help but be amused at some of the stories Suetonius recites on Nero and Caligula as they are definitely two of the most eccentric emperors (to put it lightly)that ever ruled the Principate. For example, when Nero first inaugurated his new gigantic Golden House with a mile-long corridor and a 130' statue of himself at the entrance, he was said to have exclaimed, "At last! I can live like a human being!"

Julius Caesar (New Folger Library Shakespeare)

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Another enjoyable history lesson.
The Power Of Language
Julius Ceasar
et tu brute?
Shakespeare never gets stale

Julius Caesar (New Folger Library Shakespeare)
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Washington Square Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0743482743

Book Description

Folger Shakespeare Library

The world's leading center for Shakespeare studies

Each edition includes:

• Freshly edited text based on the best early

printed version of the play

• Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play

• Scene-by-scene plot summaries

• A key to famous lines and phrases

• An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language

• An essay by an outstanding scholar providing a modern perspective on the play

• Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books

Essay by Coppélia Kahn

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs.

Customer Reviews:

Another enjoyable history lesson........2007-05-24

As with so many of Shakespeare's history and tragedy plays, this one is a wonderful history lesson. It is also a wonderful character portrayal of some well-known historical figures. Brutus is a fine example of one of Shakespeare's most wonderfully portrayed tragic figures. Brutus is the true hero of this tragic play. There are lots of wonderful soliliquays, and the language used is just beautiful. A wonderful play to re-read.

The Power Of Language.......2007-05-16

Julius Caesar is murdered very shortly into this play so while he bears the title the play is about the conspirators and the supporters of caesar and the struggle for power that comes after his asassination. The power of language to persude the masses and the fickle nature of crowds are only a few of the themes that Shakespeare explores.

Shakespeare explores the nature of tyranny, politics and absolute power in ways that must have been remarkably risky and controversial in his day.

Someone below noted that we have come to believe that the events as Shakespeare crafted them in his play are how this really happened. "Et Tu Brutus", etc. This is one of the better known and more widely read of Shakespeare's works and is the way many middle school kids are introduced to Shakespeare (maybe rivaled by Romeo and Juliet).

That said it is a fine drama and after multiple readings will still yield something new to think about or some new phrase that will stick in the readers mind.

When Brutus and Antony each deliver their respective addresses to the crowd following Caesar's death Shakespeare demonstrates a universal truth that people can be persuaded by words and the body politic is susceptable to a good propogandist. As true today as it was then.

Julius Ceasar.......2006-05-24

Julius Caesar
Author: William Shakespeare, 1623
By: Cameron Jones

What would you do if the only people that you trusted on this earth betrayed you? How would you feel if the only friends you had killed you? What would you feel if no one cared anymore about you and wanted you to be gone? Well imagine living in 100 B.C Rome as dictator for life and you were hated. That's the kind of life that Julius Caesar had to live.

William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, and later died on the same date. The only way that they found this out is because Caesar died on the same day he was born. Shakespeare died at 52 years of age.

Caesar resided in the city of Rome where he was dubbed as dictator for life. He was offered King of Rome but declined it due to the fact he didn't want people referring to him as "King". So the main characters of the book, Brutus the friend that betrays Caesar for the sake of Rome, and Cassius the horrible mastermind of the murder get Caesar to go to the capital for a dispute that needs to be settled. Calpurnia, Caesar's wife, told him not to go, that she had a dream of him being the statue of the water fountain and instead of water coming out of him there was blood pouring out of him. But being the man that he was, he was persuaded anyway instead of taking his wife's word for it. So Brutus and Caesar walk into the capital were there was a group of conspirators waiting to stab him repeatedly all over his body. Mark-Antony, Caesar's friend heard about the horrible news and ran away fearing that he would be next. Brutus sent news to Antony telling him that there was no need to run that they wasn't going to harm him and that he needed to come back so that they could have a talk about what happened. Antony returns but not for a little chit-chat but for revenge for his best friend! Antony on the way back home met with a man named Octavius, and he would soon join the army of Antony. While news was sent back home telling Brutus and Cassius that Antony and his new added piece to the chessboard was going to declare was on them! So there was four different army fronts with Brutus one leader and Cassius another, and on the other side there was Antony and Octavius as leaders of each of their men.

Now who will walk away on top will good defeat evil or will evil trample over Antony and his hell bent way to get even with Brutus and Cassius?

I would strongly recommend this book to a mature audience, only because the vocabulary in the book is to strong for the adolescence. As far as that goes the story gives very great detail and a very great picture image in your head. So I would defiantly recommend this book for high school children and older.

et tu brute?.......2006-05-18

This is a book that i have recently finished for the first time reading all the way through. It asks compelling questions through the thoughts and converstations between the main characters and their wives. It also relates to current political parties battling for control of the governtment with a 3rd side party also involved. There are also many ironic and suspenseful moments that kepp you reading evan if you are not reading it for study. Over all, I find it a great novel, but it is not something that I would read again for a long while; but possibly see the play acted out or watch a telivision form.

Shakespeare never gets stale.......2006-04-09

Scholars have expounded on the merits of Shakespeare's work for centuries, so I'm not likely to add anything of value here. I merely want to point out how extraordinary and rewarding it is to read something written 500 years ago that still seems so fresh today. Human nature really hasn't changed at all. Upon rereading this tale of the machinations surrounding the assassination of Julius Caeser, the scene that really stood out for me was the one in which the assassin Brutus and the loyalist Antony take turns addressing the public following Caeser's death. The manner in which the crowd is stirred against Caeser by Brutus and then swayed the opposite way by Antony can be read as a humorous parody of today's poll-driven political scene. When Antony insists that "I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,/ Action, nor utterance, nor the powers of speech/ To stir men's blood; I only speak right on," I can hear the voices of any number of modern politicians, including good old George W. himself.

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Fantastic Book
To Many Liberties With History
Tales of Caesar's Young Adulthood
Conquering all others...
I Loved It!

The Death of Kings (Emperor, Book 2)
Conn Iggulden
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0440240956
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Book Description

The acclaimed author of Emperor: The Gates of Rome returns to the extraordinary life of Julius Caesar in a new novel that takes us further down the path to glory . . . as Caesar comes into his own as a man, warrior, senator, husband, and leader.

In a sparsely settles region of North Africa, a band of disheveled soldiers turn their eyes toward one man among them: their leader, Julius Caesar. The soldiers are Roman legionaries. And their quarry is a band of pirates who dared to kidnap Julius Caesar for ransom. Now, as Caesar exacts his revenge and builds a legend far from Rome, his friend Marcus Brutus is fighting battles of another sort, rising to power in the wake of the assassination of a dictator. Once Brutus and Caesar were as close as brothers, devoted to the same ideals and attracted to the same forbidden women. Now they will be united again by a shock wave from the north, where a gladiator named Spartacus is building an army of seventy thousand slaves—to fight a cataclysmic battle against Rome itself.

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"Brilliant... stunning," raved the Los Angeles Times about Conn Iggulden's first novel, Emperor: The Gates of Rome. "Iggulden is a grand storyteller," declared USA Today. Now Iggulden returns to the landscape of ancient Rome and the life of Julius Caesar in a new novel filled with all the sumptuous storytelling that distinguished his first book. Sweeping from the windswept, pirate-ruled seas to the stifling heat of the Roman senate, Iggulden takes us further down the path to glory as Julius Caesar comes into his own as a man, warrior, senator, husband, leader.

In a sweltering, sparsely settled region of North Africa, a band of disheveled soldiers turn their eyes toward one man among them. Ragged, dirty, and half starved, the men will follow their leader into the mad, glorious fight for honor and revenge that only he wants to fight. Their leader is named Julius Caesar. The soldiers are Roman legionaries. And their quarry is a band of pirates who made the mistake of seizing Julius Caesar—and holding him for ransom. Now, to get his revenge, Caesar will turn peasants into soldiers, building a shipborne fighting force that will not only decimate a pirate fleet but will dominate the Mediterranean, earning him the coveted title Military Tribune of Rome.

While Caesar builds a legend far from Rome, his friend Gaius Brutus is fighting battles of another sort, rising to power in the wake of the shocking assassination of a dictator. Once Brutus and Caesar were as close as brothers, both devoted to the same ideals and attracted to the same forbidden woman. Now, when Caesar returns—with the winds of glory at his back—they will find themselves at odds. For each has built an army of elite warriors—Caesar's forged in far-flung battles, Brutus' from Rome's political killing fields. But in an era when men die for their treachery and their allegiances, the two men will soon be united by a shock wave from the north. There, a gladiator named Spartacus is gathering strength, building an army of seventy thousand desperate slaves—to fight a cataclysmic battle against Rome itself.

Filled with unforgettable images—from the death throes of a king to the birth of Caesar's child, from the bloody battlefields of Greece to the silent passion of lovers—Emperor: The Death of Kings is an astounding work, a stunning blend of vibrant history and thrilling fiction.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Book.......2007-09-03

The entire series 'Emperor',including 'The Death of Kings',are very exciting and well-written.It's true that Iggulden made many changes from the original story but I believe the most important thing is to understand the character of Julius Caesar and of Marcus Brutus,and how life was at the time.The author takes us close to the characters and the story is so vivid that you can't stop reading..For me,the most interesting thing in the series is the relationship of the two friends and how they changed during the years.

To Many Liberties With History.......2007-05-15

There are so many better books in this genre.

While one must suspend belief with much of the dialogue put into the mouths of the great men of history, it is unforgivable how the author changes well documented important events.

Cato is killed during the Spartacus rebellion by Pompey? No he lived for many years more, died in Africa and should be a MAJOR character in the next books in the series - except the author has decided to kill him off. Ridiculous.

Caesar personally kills Mithridates during a great battle the same year he escaped from pirates??? No such thing happened.

There are many other major changes in History that make this mediocre book and series a must avoid.

Tales of Caesar's Young Adulthood.......2006-12-22

My interest in Julius Caesar & ancient Rome was piqued by viewing HBO's Rome. I really enjoyed the series & read Gods & Legions by Michael Curtis Ford. I started this series with The Death of Kings. If someone read this books & the one that follows, without knowing anything about Rome & Caesar, I think they would really enjoy these books.

I'm far from a historical expert on Caesar & Rome, but there were some historical inaccuracies that distracted me from fully enjoying this book. The main event was the suicide of Cato about 20 years before it actually happened. Cato's suicide infuriated Caesar in real life. He is noted as saying "Cato, I must grudge you your death, as you grudged me the honor of saving your life." Cato's death was one of the final events before Caesar declared his triumph.

The other part of this book & the next is the inclusion of Octavian who was born in 63 B.C. Octavian was born about 1-2 years before Caesar went to Gaul, yet he's at least 6 when Caesar is 19. (Note Gaul is mostly in Book 3.) The author obviously wanted to have Octavian in the series, but this discrepancy was hard to overlook. In the end of each book there is a historical note where the author says where he's changed historical facts for the story. He mentions Cato, but I don't recall him mentioning the age discrepancy of Octavian. He does mention he changed the relation to cousin or something from great uncle. Aside from the historical changes the story is well told & fun to read. I'd recommend these books to anyone interested in ancient Rome unless historical liberties taken to improve story would make it unreadable.

Conquering all others..........2006-12-13

Emperor: The Death of Kings by Conn Iggulden is a book in the Emperor series. This book is about Julius Caesar's life from one of his first military campaigns until his posting in Spain as a governor, a few years later. The book begins with the words "The Fort of Mytilene loomed above them on the hill" pulling me right into the story. Though only a leader of a small unit, Julius Caesar and his group joined by about 20 other men attack this fort being held by rebels. Disaster follows soon after the successful battle because pirates capture the ship Caesar is sailing on as they are leaving the port. For a long time, Caesar and the rest of the officers are trapped in the hold, but they soon escape. After that, Caesar assembles an army and goes after the pirate captain. He finds the pirate captain and has a pitched sea battle. Caesar wins and gets all his money back from when he had to pay his ransom. This is the first of three major battles described in the book. After the second battle, Caesar hears that his old nemesis Sulla has died in Rome. This is important because Caesar is now free to go back to Rome, having sworn not to return to Rome while Sulla was alive. The reason for the hatred between the two men must have been explained in the first book of the series. While in Rome Caesar is in Rome he must struggle with all the events that have happened while he was away. For example, his father's house was being occupied by one of Sulla's friends Antonidus also known as Sulla's "dog". Caesar kicks Antonidus out of the house resulting in a trial, which Caesar wins. After this trial, Caesar goes to battle having been recently promoted. The battle was incredibly successful because the Roman soldiers were better trained than the slaves who they were fighting. Immediately after the battle, Caesar is posted to Spain as a Governor where the book ends. There are many characters: some military people, some family and some friends. Some characters are famous in history such as Caesar's friend Brutus and his successor Octavian. The parts of the book in Rome have to do with the political aspects, which are extremely complicated because everyone is vying for power. A friend can become an enemy in a second. The book was complicated, attention grabbing and if you are afraid of long words, do not read it. The story seemed jerky at first, but then I realized that it really flowed smoothly. I particularly enjoyed reading about the trial because it was extremely suspenseful. Because of the author's style of writing, the book is energetic and interesting. Iggulden's characters are well described and are consistent in their actions throughout the story. Sometimes the author does not give enough detail about certain events and must be assumed from the first book; however, the action is fun to read and I liked it.

I Loved It!.......2006-11-23

"The Death of Kings", (second in the Emperor series), follows on from the first, taking in the period from the capture and imprisonment of Caesar up to the rebellion of Spartacus. It follows on directly from the first volume, so should not be read independently of that one.

Firstly, as I did not read this book for the historical accuracy, (I would have read a real historical non-fiction book, if I actually cared that much), I couldn't give too much of a toss about the liberties that Iggulden took with it, within certain broad limits. Especially, considering that he is so open about these liberties in the first place, (unlike some authors who have been very popular).

The narrative itself is certainly fast paced and keeps you moving from one thing to the next with a vigorous and frenetic energy. It is sometimes a bit lax on the details, but the sacrifice to speed is liveable. It not a book that presents a lot of profound comments on the life of Caesar, but it is an action novel. And it has plenty of it. I enjoyed the pace and the action a lot, and it was a rip-roaring read for that.

The characterisations were rather good, though sometimes a bit like a cardboard cut-out. I was especially drawn to the character of Cornelia in her reactions to the newly returned Caesar after Sulla had had his way with her. Her bitterness and anger, coupled with her strong desire to draw Caesar near her, were poignant and interesting. She is perhaps the deepest character of the series so far.

The book is not deep, and it takes a lot of liberties with the historical truth. However, if that is a concern, might I recommend real history books and not novels. This is a fast paced adventure novel with a lot of fighting, intrigue and other stuff. There is even romance, though I have skipped through as much of that as possible. If you are into a fast read that is not too taxing, I recommend this one. Just read the first one before you get to this one.

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2000 Plus years old and still going strong
Caesar third person account of his conquest of the Gallia
Insights into a Brilliant Mind
For Miss Rogers who loved her Latin so much A note on the style of the work
The Greatest General - in his own words

The Conquest of Gaul (Penguin Classics)
Julius Caesar
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140444335

Amazon.com

Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres... It is, perhaps, the most famous opening line of any memoir in Western civilization. What Caesar and the Romans called "Gaul," although we usually think of it as France, also comprised Belgium, the German lands west of the Rhine, southern Holland, and much of Switzerland. This is the only military campaign of the ancient world for which we have a chronicle written by the general who conducted it, and Julius Caesar is an insightful historian, with a keen eye for detail, as in this scene from the repulsion of the forces of the German king Ariovistus:

Caesar placed each of his five generals ahead of a legion and detailed his quaestor to command the remaining legion, so that every soldier might know that there was a high officer in a position to observe the courage with which he conducted himself, and then led the right wing first into action, because he had noticed that the enemy's line was weakest on that side.

Customer Reviews:

2000 Plus years old and still going strong.......2007-01-10

If the pre-christian world is where your interests are this book belongs in your collection. The good old days when power and might formed and held together the greatest empire to ever rule the known world.

Caesar third person account of his conquest of the Gallia.......2006-12-22

De Bello Gallico - Julius Caesar third person account of his conquest of Gaul (modern day France, and large parts of Switzerland and Belgium, approximately) is well known for its opening line: Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres... This military chronicle brings us back to a time when rules of engagement were very different to our own: today, Caesar would be facing charges of genocide at the International Criminal Court for wiping out the Helvetii, for example. The book is fascinating at times but is also repetitive - so many tribes gets you confused. But it allows us to see a very different morality to our own - Caesar naturally thought nothing of killing, ethnically cleansing or enslaving his enemies, as well as a picture of the lives of the european tribes that lived outside the Roman empire. A must for Asterix fans.

Insights into a Brilliant Mind.......2006-12-01

I found this book very hard to put down once I finished the introduction. Caesar's writing style is crisp (and unique - he writes in the third person) and blatantly political. The best parts of the book are his descriptions of the customs and habits of the various peoples, and the self laudatory comments that pepper the narrative. An opportunity to see into the mind of one of history's most fantastic figures.

For Miss Rogers who loved her Latin so much A note on the style of the work .......2005-11-08

Miss Rogers was a Latin teacher in Troy, New York for many years. She loved Latin and had a pleasant and loving attitude to her students. It was from her that I first heard, "Omnia Gallia in tres partes divisa est" She made us memorize certain passages in her beloved language.
So my first view of this ' classic' is not as a 'book to be read' but as a text to be studied in order to learn Latin grammar.
And what I felt in learning this is how logical, clear and straightforward it all seems to be. The style of the work as I understand it is a reflection of that strong, determined, clear, goal- oriented, straightforward moving Roman spirit that conquered a great part of the world.
As for the text itself, the character of Caesar, the military operations. Others more qualified than myself have already commented on this on the 'Amazon site'. I would just say that for some reason I had at that time years ago great sympathy for Vercingetorix, the defeated leader of the Gauls. I could not understand why he had to be defeated since he was in his own land fighting to defend his own people. I thought simple Justice would have him prevail. And as a young person I was dismayed at his despite his great courage being defeated.
As for the Romans even Caesar they inspire respect more than love, and admiration for their courage is balanced by a disdain for their appetite for conquest and domination.

The Greatest General - in his own words.......2005-10-28

This used to be the manual for every young noble going to war as an officer. Today it is a historical document showing the roman republic in war, and in particular a portrait of how the great Ceasar would like his friends, enemies and history to see him. This book has shaped the thinking of allmost every military commander for 2000 years, and it would be a shame not to read the words penned by the dictator himself.

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Going donwhill fast
End of an era, change in main characters for McCullough's Rome series
Tedious and cliched
The Masters Of Rome Series: Book 3-Fortune's Favorite's
A Fine Continuation of a Great Series

Fortune's Favorites
Colleen Mccullough
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0380710838
Release Date: 2003-01-28

Book Description

They were blessed by the gods at birth with wealth and privilege. In a time of cataclysmic upheaval, a bold new generation of Romans vied for greatness amid the disintegrating remnants of their beloved Republic. But there was one who towered above them all -- a brilliant and beautiful boy whose ambition was unequaled, whose love was legend and whose glory was Rome's. A boy they would one day call "Caesar."

Customer Reviews:

Going donwhill fast.......2006-09-24

While her research is (as always) amazing, the series is going downhill fast. This book is BORING. Hundreds of pages of political soap opera with some action here and there. After 400 pages, I just can't suffer through it anymore. It's like flipping back and forth between reading transcripts of "All My Children" and the "Congressional Record." I bought the whole series as a set but I won't be finishing it.

The quest for good historical fiction continues...

End of an era, change in main characters for McCullough's Rome series.......2006-05-11

EDIT: The low rating was a mistake on my part. McCullough's writing and plot is spellbinding, and my rating does not reflect the quality of her work, but rather the characterization and failure to make her characters identifiable or likeable in the eyes of the reader.

With "Fortune's Favorites", the great characters we came to know and love from the first two ("The First Man in Rome" and "The Grass Crown") like Gaius Marius, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, Marcus Livius Drusus, Quintus Servilius Caepio, Quintus Sertorius, Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus, Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius, etc, pass on (not necessarily die, but fade from the book's center spotlight) replaced by the two new stars and their legions of clients, friends, foes, etc, Gaius Julius Caesar and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus.

Caesar and Pompeius are the popular two in Roman stories and such, and now McCullough dramatizes them.

Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with this book. I had bought all her books (in chronological order: "The First Man in Rome", "The Grass Crown", "Fortune's Favorites", "Caesar's Women", "Caesar", and "The October Horse") planning to read them all in order (and taking almost an entire month for each one! @_@) and had just finished the first two, then moved on to this one. I finished this one in the beginning of this month (May) and upon retrospect and reading some 90 pages of "Caesar's Women" I can say I was very disappointed with this one.

Whereas the first two book introduced likable characters like Gaius Marius (who was your hero until he went mad) and Lucius Cornelius Sulla (our tamer Caligula we all love to hate) and all the other bunch, McCullough moves on to two new heroes who are... for lack of better words, cold heartless selfish greedy sniveling weasly jerks.

While history varies in the depictions of Caesar and Pompeius (the prime two in this new era of the series), McCullough chooses portrayals of the two which really disconnect them with the reader and makes them the type of people you want to hate but you'd look like a jealous jerk for doing so because everyone loves them and they're so wildly successful.

Pompeius is depicted as a VERY angry, shrewd little man with a one-track mind focused only on his own glory. A "his way or the highway" sort of attitude, in which he throws fierce temper tantrums when things don't go his way (such as when the elephants in his triumph couldn't fit through the final gates). It would be sort of amusing reading about his temper tantrums and his hectic relationships with people, but it's not. It's very laborious trying to be interested in this very temperamental and very selfish man who you can't even label as an antagonist.

Caesar is done even worse. With modern times, depictions of Caesar appear to be one of a bold, cunning, and ambitious man. McCullough takes that to whole new levels, portraying Caesar (perhaps inadvertently) as a BOLD, CUNNING, and AMBITIOUS man to the max, and... very very VERY morally loose, jerky, greedy, selfish, and a very repugnant, hateable man. His treatment of women, too, is so hideous (even Sulla in the previous books wasn't so ghastly and cold-hearted as Caesar) that an apathetic little girl like me cringes in disgust and makes me feel like a feminist.

Caesar is portrayed as brave, intelligent, clever, cunning, beautiful (though I strongly beg to differ), and so great as to have ambitions beyond a normal Roman's. Yet for inexplicable reasons, Caesar feels the need to advance in Roman politics and be Consul (there's no elaboration on his highest goals or what he plans to do after he becomes Consul---just that he'll be Consul when its his time, and nothing more). This masking of goals from the reader really puts Caesar in limbo and sort of shows him as a lethargic vagabond wandering about aiming for the Consulship, then perhaps to wander about like a reckluse doing nothing more. An interesting mid-way view for the author, but it's a bit unfulfilling if she takes no stance on her character. It's not a history, so there's no need to be unbiased.
Caesar (with the shocking acceptance of his mother Aurelia) also begins on a really sick "campaign" to have sex with as many political rivals' wives as possible, even if they aren't his enemies! This very lewd and disgustingly Caligulan campaign of sex goes on for a long long time, and breaks lots of hearts and sullies many reputations (with Caesar wickedly smirking as his foes and potential foes crumble). He is so detached and cold that we aren't even sure if he loves his wife, Cinnila, for whom he defies Sulla and risks being killed just to stay married to her!

Since I've just begun with "Caesar's Women" I'm going to include some of it in here:

Caesar continues his crude, heartless campaign of seducing noble women and sexing them for his own gain. He even becomes "lovers" with Servilia Caepionis (Marcus Junius Brutus's mother) and is so cold and detached to her, you genuinely cannot believe they are in love, it is simply not believable.

Not much else is developed on Pompeius other than he wants fame and recognition and has a short temper. Caesar is depicted as very cold and heartless and overall a very very VERY strong contradiction to the great hero he is depicted as by some people (and a contradiction to the great hero McCullough depicted Gaius Marius as)

I was very disappointed with "Fortune's Favorites" and its... diabolical new stars. That's the only word I could think of. Some of the minor subplot stories are dabbled upon with the faintest touch of a fingertip, including the story of Spartacus which lasts maybe less than fifty pages and very few minor characters aside from Cicero (who is given very little page-time) and Crassus (made very very aloof and boring to read about) and some other big names who are given virtually no development and not used much at all other than as names tossed around and political obstacles to Caesar and Pompeius. Very disappointed in this one. It's very sickening and laborious reading about Caesar now, after the greatness of Marius and Sulla.

Tedious and cliched.......2006-01-20

I noted in my review of another book in this series the problems with McCullough's style. The problems are compounded in this book. Before, characters were constantly grinning. They still do here, but now they're also constantly shivering or shuddering. One constantly sees clumsy, amateurish sentences like, "Aurelia shivered, grimaced." I found one instance of characters shivering four times in two facing pages. Cliches are piled up in vast heaps. Sulla "died hard." Sheesh. And the description of his death couldn't possibly be more hackneyed and silly.

More obsession with blue eyes "ringed with a blue so dark it was almost black." More obsession with "small white teeth" and "large yellow teeth." Sulla is described again and again as having a "naked clawed creature within, fit only to howl at the moon." I've seen that particular nugget perhaps 30 times over three volumes; when I see it yet again, it makes me want to tear the book to pieces. As does the phrase, "I'm one of fortune's favorites." I can almost hear a trumpet play a sadly comic wah-wah-wahhhh after every one of those.

But the real problem with this volume is the storytelling. That is what usually makes McCullough's books worth reading. But the story remains untold in this one. Oh, there's plenty of gossip about this person marrying that, and ephemeral political alliances that come and go, and the general outline of the events following the Marsian War, including Sulla's dictatorship, are described. But the proscriptions are barely even mentioned. No attempt to build a sense of the terror they inspired. Nothing! Just some periodic muttering between Catulus and Hortensius, who come off sounding like Waldorf and Astoria sitting in the balcony on the Muppets Show. The war with Mithridates appears to be a big upcoming topic in the previous book, but it's only glanced at here with casual asides.

Mostly this book offers an endless series of disconnected incidents and anecdotes. Young Caesar has all the depth and believability of a cardboard cutout. Pompey is somewhat more believable, but in a cartoonish way.

The character of Sulla himself is deeply unsatisfying as well. The historical character of Sulla is certainly an engima, but a novelist has to take a stand and flesh out the character one way or the other, and then suffer the endless nitpicking of the historical purists. But the character of Sulla is particularly lifeless in this book, even more lifeless than McCullough's characters tend to be. I get no sense of what made him tick, apart from a taste for the ridiculous, and for wine and men. And he constantly asks himself why he doesn't know what love is. Honestly, at times the purple prose and laughable dialogue border on the kind of stuff written for pubescent girls. "Of course you know what love is, Sulla! You love Rome!"

Wah-wah-wahhhh.

There are a few fairly vivid (and entirely fictional) scenes in the book that are worth reading, but mostly this book is a complete dud. I'm a bit over halfway and giving serious consideration to giving up on this one. It's quite rare for me to give up on a book.

Incidentally, the fifth book in the series, "Caesar," while still suffering from some serious flaws, is far, far more entertaining than this rubbish. The first and second books, "First Man in Rome" and "The Grass Crown," are also better, though it was in "The Grass Crown" that I first became weary of the painfully bad cliches that McCullough refuses to part with.

UPDATE: I've now finished the book. And the second half is considerably better. But there was really nowhere to go but up. The story of Spartacus is pretty interesting, though as always, McCullough's style never rises above mediocre. And the phrase "fortune's favorite" keeps popping up like the refrain in one of those never-ending children's poems. The characters of Caesar and Pompey are spruced up a bit toward the end too, although Crassus is repeatedly described as bovine and expressionless. That's pretty funny, coming from an author who has everyone else exhibiting such an endless stream of exaggerated facial expressions that one almost might think one had stumbled into an ancient mime colony.

The Masters Of Rome Series: Book 3-Fortune's Favorite's.......2006-01-05

I first read Colleen McCullough's Masters Of Rome epic series some years ago, and just recently, picked them up again. McCullough's grasp of Roman life and politics, during its decline, is nothing short of amazing.

Fortunes Favorite's picks up where it left us in the Grass Crown. Cornelius Sulla, after a barbaric and bloody campaign within Rome itself, has made himself Dictator of Rome. The once handsome man is now appallingly ugly, beset by sores, nearly toothless and completely bald, due to what we now call diabetes.

After a long series of proscriptions, which included confiscation of properties and Roman status, Sulla begins to legislate a series of laws, that in the main, prove beneficial to a Republic tottering on the brink of collapse.

Julius Caesar has been ordered by Sulla, to divorce his child wife Cinna, and refuses. The meeting between the two men-one badly aged and ill, and the young and very virile Caesar is fascinating. The decision that comes of this meeting has breathtaking consequences, that echo throughout history.

Pompey Magnus, a superb Commander, but still a young man is a threat to both Sulla and Caesar, but for differing reasons. Vain and given to horrifying juvenile tantrums when thwarted, Pompey manages to align himself with Caesar.

Colleen McCullough never takes the easy way out to keep her readers engaged, and never uses trite or "popular" story lines. For example, though she mentions Caesar's virility with women throughout her books, she never uses them in a way lesser authors might. Caesar is what he is: a Roman Patrician who only uses women to hurt his rivals.

Cicero, Crassus, the Cotti, and Scipio gens are all brilliantly brought to life. One of the most annoying characters in the series has to be Cato. Mocked as a child for his big head and small body, coupled with a beaky nose, he is the quintessential pedant, who dedicates his life to bringing Caesar down. Yet he is a moral man, living amid amoral people, and this ultimately proves his undoing.

When Sulla, as promised, steps down from his Dictatorship, and goes off to live what is left of his life, with the two people he most loves, his wife and his male lover Metrobius, he dies from his excesses. McCullough's treatment of the mess left upon his dying, is both sensitive and touching.

I highly recommend this, and all the other books in the series, beginning with The First Man In Rome, and ending with The October Horse. The parallels with our own society are there to see, and yet, she carries it off so well, the reader is left thoroughly fascinated, and much richer for having read them.

Included with each book are well drawn maps of the areas dealt with, a comprehensive glossary, and an assortment of back and white drawings taken directly from classical busts of many of the characters in the series.

This is the best melange of history and fiction I've had the privilege to read in years, and I cannot recommend it highly enough for anyone interested in learning about the time before the fall of the Roman Empire.

A Fine Continuation of a Great Series.......2005-12-29

FORTUNE'S FAVORITES is Colleen McCollough's third novel in her Rome series, and I believe her best so far. The great characters of Roman history are assembling and she breathes live into them as only a novelist of her skill can. The Rome series is based upon the work of the ancients including Plutarch, Seutonius and others; although she is true to her historical roots she also introduces some theories of her own that have a degree of plausiblity.

The book covers twelve years of Roman history and begins with Sulla's return from exile to lead his forces against those of his former patron and mentor the late Gauis Marius. Upon winning this civil war, Sulla is named Dictator with total control. He purges Rome of the pro Marius senators and collaborators and begins to single-handedly reestablish and remake the Republic; completing this work he leaves public life. He's given Rome a last chance but the seeds of empire have been planted, ironically by him, and will take root under his successors.

Julius Caesar was introduced in the previous novel, THE GRASS CROWN, but only as a child. In this book his character is developed and his intelligence, courage and political abilities are shown. These are the traits that he will use to create the Empire and reshape Rome. Caesar believes he is truly one of Fortune's Favorites. Pompey the Great, another Favorite and Caesar's future adversary also plays a prominent role, older by about ten years his career has been on a "fast track" with his military genius, wealth and connections. Cicero, a minor player in her second book, has developed into one of Rome's most notable lawyers and orators. Spartacus' rebellion of the slaves occurs during this period and provides a glimpse of gladiator and slave life and the consequences of defying Roman power.

McCullough's novels introduce numerous characters, and at times it is difficult to keep up with them as well as her use of Latin. She does include a glossary, illustrations and maps of the areas where battles are fought and the locations of cities and states that haven't existed for centuries and these help.

This book is exciting, full of intrigue, with a cast that are only read about in history books or seen in a Hollywood rendition. The book can be read as a "stand alone" novel; and she includes synopses of the first two prior to beginning this one; but having read the previous two I would recommend that approach. I found once I started FORTUNE'S FAVORITES it was very difficult to put down.

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If ancient Rome had tabloids...
All the Dirty Laundry!
Fascinating insights into 12 first century leaders
A must for advocates of democracy opposed to demagogues
Read your primary sources people!

The Lives of the Twelve Caesars
Suetonius
Manufacturer: Welcome Rain
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1566492106

Book Description

Covering the Roman rulers from Julius Caesar to Domitian, remains on e f the most enlightening of all Roman histories.

Customer Reviews:

If ancient Rome had tabloids..........2005-12-10

Not much is known about the life of Gaius Suetonius Tranquillis. He was probably born in A.D. 69--the famous 'year of four Emperors'--when his father, a Roman knight, served as a colonel in a regular legion and took part in the Battle of Baetricum.

Suetonius became a scribe and noted secretary to the military set, eventually ending up in the service of Hadrian, who was emperor from A.D. 117-138. He was dismissed for 'indiscreet behaviour' with Hadrian's empress, Sabina, but not before doing sufficient research to complete many books of a historical nature. His attempts at philosophy were much less well received, and most of his history has been overlooked by all but classical scholars, but this work, 'The Twelve Caesars' has held the imagination of more than just the scholarly set since it was first written.

Suetonius had the good fortune of speaking to eyewitnesses from the time of the early Caesars. Much of his information about Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero in fact comes from those who observed and/or participated in their lives. Suetonius is in many ways more of a reporter than an historian--he would record conflicting statements without worrying about the reconciliation (this set him apart from Tacitus and other classical historians who tried to find a consistency in stories and facts.

Suetonius has been described as the tabloid journalist of ancient Rome, because not only did he not appear to check facts (which in fact is not true--he did check, he just didn't try to smooth over the conflicting facts), but he choose to concentrate on the private lives, motivations and personality quirks of his subjects rather than their grand plans, policies and military/political victories. Thus, many details of the lurid scene appear. Suetonius, and this volume in particular, formed much of the basis for Robert Graves as he wrote 'I, Claudius' and 'Claudius the God', which in turn pulled up the popularity of Suetonius in this generation.

Suetonius had first hand knowledge of many of the Caesars who followed the Claudians, and ready access to the archives of the imperial family and the Senate, given his imperial posting.

This translation is not intended to be a faithful rendering of the language (which might well result in a stilted English construct) but rather a faithful account of the stories Suetonius tells. Graves has taken the liberty of changing monetary, date, and technical terms into standard English measurements of close kinship of meaning.

For the record, the twelve Caesars, about whom Suetonius writes, are:

+ Julius Caesar
+ Augustus
+ Tiberius
+ Gaius Caligula
+ Claudius
+ Nero
+ Galba
+ Otho
+ Vitellius
+ Vespasian
+ Titus
+ Domitian

Suetonius held nothing back in writing about the personal habits of the emperors and their families, nor did he hold back in his moral judgement of them. Of Tiberius, for instance, he wrote that Tiberius did so many other wicked deeds under the pretext of reforming public morals--but in reality to gratify his lust for seeing people suffer--that many satires were written against the evils of the day, incidentally expressing gloomy fears about the future.... At first Tiberius dismissed these verses as the work of bilious malcontents who were impatient with his reforms and did not really mean what they said. He would remark: 'Let them hate me, so long as they fear me!' But, as time went on, his conduct justified every line they had written.

Graves' edition of Suetonius is available under many covers, from hard-back study editions to Penguin paperbacks, including a wonderful, finely printed edition by the Folio Society. Take a step back into the seemier side of ancient Rome, the side most history courses overlook in favour of more traditional historical events, and hie thee to the bookstore for this work.

All the Dirty Laundry!.......2005-09-09

Seutonius did the world a great service when he wrote his "The Lives of the Twelve Caesars". This was one of the first primary sources that I read, and it remains a favourite of mine.

Seutonius tackles each of the first twelve Caesars in chronological order, with a section on each one. He claims he has used many sources, and has even included some hearsay or otherwise unconfirmed information. He certainly was not shy about airing their dirty laundry.

Unlike a lot of ancient authors that get translated into English, Suetonius' style is very relaxed and very easy to get absorbed into. Even in translation, the book maintains a brisk pace and has enough to keep one interested until the last page.

Suetonius' "The Lives of the Twelve Caesars" is a fascinating book, written with access to sources long lost to us. This is a great book to read and enjoy, simultaneously being good for those interested in serious study of the period.

Fascinating insights into 12 first century leaders.......2003-10-01

Suetonius book covers the lives and works of the 12 leading Romans of the periode from ca. 70BC to 96AD: Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasianus, Titus and Domitianus. He describes their commendable achievements first an then goes in depth into their not so nice qualities too. The account he gives is lively and alive with quite private details of the 12 men. It's a fascinating read that also gives the reader an insight into Roman live in the first century AD

A must for advocates of democracy opposed to demagogues.......2001-03-08

I find this book essential not, as most readers see, a simple history of Rome, but rather as a grim example of the excesses possible when democracy fails and absolute power is contained in one human being(Rome beginning its career as a wonderfull Republic). Although most see Suetonius' vivid descriptions of lust and other deviant vices as mere gossip, I propose that is exactly what he is trying to elucidate for the ages to see. These same excesses gave rise to almost the entire fundamental ideas of the religion known as Christianity and their whole hearted opposition to orgies, torture, crucifictions, feeding to the lions and the like, all due to the whims of deranged monkeys who called themselves Caesar. Read for yourself, for example, the history behind St. Valentine's day.

Read your primary sources people!.......2000-02-16

In historical study there are two types of literature. Secondary sources are written based on the original writings which are known as Primary sources. If you want to lern about the earliest Roman Emperors this source is indispensable. True, some of it is not historical and Suetonius is somewhat of a gossip monger at times, seeing as he explains in detail the various sexual appetites of each Caesar as well as other deviant behaviour. Still, this is one of the foremost primary sources about those famous Romans and most of the history books written on the Caesars are standing on Suetonius' shoulders.

Caesar's Legion: The Epic Saga of Julius Caesar's Elite Tenth Legion and the Armies of Rome

Average customer rating:

Excellent read
HISTORICAL ACCURACY; LACKLUSTER EXCITMENT
Excellent Plan of Attack - Wimpy Execution
A Legion of Roman History buffs should read this excellent book on the illustrious Xth Legion! Hail Caesar!!!!
Get the audiobook! It was great.

Caesar's Legion: The Epic Saga of Julius Caesar's Elite Tenth Legion and the Armies of Rome
Stephen Dando-Collins
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0471686131

Book Description

"A unique and splendidly researched story, following the trials and triumphs of Julius Caesar's Legio X-arguably the most famous legion of its day-from its activation to the slogging battle of Munda and from Thapsus, Caesar's tactical masterpiece, to the grim siege of the Jewish fortress of Masada. More than a mere unit account, it incorporates the history of Rome and the Roman army at the height of their power and gory glory. Many military historians consider Caesar's legions the world's most efficient infantry before the arrival of gunpowder. This book shows why. Written in readable, popular style, Caesar's Legion is a must for military buffs and anyone interested in Roman history at a critical point in European civilization."
—T. R. Fehrenbach, author of This Kind of War, Lone Star, and Comanches

Stephen Dando-Collins paints a vivid and definitive portrait of daily life in the Tenth Legion as he follows Caesar and his men along the blood-soaked fringes of the Empire. This unprecedented regimental history reveals countless previously unknown details about Roman military practices, Caesar's conduct as a commander and his relationships with officers and legionaries, and the daily routine and discipline of the Legion. From penetrating insights into the mind of history's greatest general to a grunt's-eye view of the gruesome realities of war in the Classical Age, this unique and riveting true account sets a new standard of exellence and detail to which all authors of ancient military history will now aspire.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent read.......2007-07-17

I couldn't put it down. It is very fast paced, and I enjoyed the fact that it is more historical than fiction, and still fun.

HISTORICAL ACCURACY; LACKLUSTER EXCITMENT.......2007-07-16

WHILE A WELL RESEARCHED AND ACCURATE HISTORICAL PIECE, IT LACKS VITALITY AND PERSONALITY. THE FACTS, HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, DESCRIPTIONS OF EVENTS ARE TERRIFIC. HOWEVER,THE WORK DOES NOT DELVE INTO THE CHARACTERS' MINDS, NOR IS IT A PARTICULARLY EXCITING WORK. I WAS EXPECTING SOMETHING LIKE MICHENOR WHO TELLS A GREAT TALE WITH SUPERB RESEARCH, PERSONALITY, AND A PLOT. DANDO-COLLINS PROVIDES MANY FACTS,BUT WITHOUT CHARM OR MUCH CHARACTER.

Excellent Plan of Attack - Wimpy Execution.......2007-07-10

While I agree with many of the criticisms on this one, it was still potentially a great book. For example, the "translation" of Roman military titles into modern ranks, like colonel and major-general is annoying. These however, are stylistic issues that the author chose to appeal to a wider audience. While I might not agree with him, it's his book, not mine, and I'll give him a pass on his decision. The thing that keeps this book from getting the fifth star however is the writing style itself.

The idea of the book was to give the some Roman history through the eyes of the Roman soldier. It was a great plan and showed some great potential. An example of how great this book could have been is found in chapter one, which really draws the reader in:

"The charge waivered momentarily, then regained momentum. Another volley of javelins blackened the blue sky. And another and another. The attackers in Caesar's leading ranks, out of breath, with their dead comrades lying in heaps around them, and still not within striking distance of the enemy, came to a stop."

This is exciting writing that makes the reader want more. Unfortunately, the author wimps out elsewhere. Consider this paragraph from chapter 5:

"The colonel would have advised that there was a worrying sight to be seen from the guard towers by the praetorian gate. Caesar would have followed the young colonel out onto the main street of the camp, then hurried with him toward the nearby rear gate of the camp, passing off-duty men of the 10th lounging around in front of their tents who would have followed the general's urgent passage with turning heads. At the gate, the ten men of the sentry detail-ten was the standard number of sentries assigned to each camp gate, according to Polybius-can be sure to have stood with their hands on the hilts of their sheathed swords, looking anxious. Caesar and the colonel can be expected to have clambered up a ladder into one of the wooden guard towers on either side of the praetorian gate that traditionally faced the enemy."

For Heaven's sakes! Lose the passive voice and scratch through all the "would haves!" I appreciate that the author is being careful not to cross the line between history and fiction, but it's painful to read! At some point Mr. Dando-Collins needed to decide if this was going to be fun history or serious history. The latter is for use in college classrooms and serious students of the subject. As this is obviously an attempt at a wider audience, however, I say damn the torpedoes! Give us a good yarn -speculation based on what probably happened and all! If he had insisted on showing what is speculation as opposed to what original source historians recorded (often also speculation), he could have set off sections in italics or parentheses.

In spite of the writing style, this is still a good book. It's just a pity though, because it could have been great.

A Legion of Roman History buffs should read this excellent book on the illustrious Xth Legion! Hail Caesar!!!!.......2007-06-15

The ancient world was a brutal neighborhood. Emerging as the greatest military machine of the age were the mighty Romans. In this excellent book, well researched by Stephen Dando-Collins, we get a detailed examination of the 10th Legion. The legiion was recruited in Spain having its birth in 61 BC. This is the most famous of all legions as they fought on the right side of the battlefield in all the battles which made Julius Caesar (100-44 BC) the dictator of Rome.

The Xth Legion fought on the continents of Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa. The legion played important roles in Caesar's conquest of Gaul. The legion was instrumental in Caesar's victory over Pompey in the Roman Civil War. The victory over Pompey at Phrasalus in Greece was the most important victory of that bloody war.The legion was with Caesar in Egypt as he wiped out all the supporters of the Pompeian cause.

Following the assassination of Caesar the 10th fought under Mark Antony and was on the losing side in his battle against Octavian at Actium in 31 BC.

The legion served well under several emperors most notablly in the bitterly fought Jewish revolt against Rome in both 66-73 AD and 132-135

AD.

Along with his vivid description of the battles we learn much about the daily life of a Roman grunt from what he ate; how much he made; the intricacies of enlistment and how the Roman army was organized. A helpful glossary explains Latin terms.

I will read more of Dando-Collins after this initial perusal of a fine

military history. So often ancient history can be written in a dry way but Dando-Collins lively writing style makes it easy to digest. This book is recommended highly for both the neophyte historian as well as the more

widely read devotees of Roman history.

Get the audiobook! It was great........2007-04-23

I wish I could give this 6 stars. I was unable to turn off the audiobook. The reader is outstanding. The book is brilliant. The other reviews better describe the book than I shall, but do consider the audiobook. I found it griping. I am listening a second time.

The October Horse: A Novel of Caesar and Cleopatra

Average customer rating:

Interesting and Absorbing
how to decide a favorite?
Great Finish To An Outstanding Series
Very good book
Historical fiction that reads as if history is happening

The October Horse: A Novel of Caesar and Cleopatra
Colleen McCullough
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0671024205

Book Description

A SWEEPING EPIC OF ANCIENT ROME FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE THORN BIRDS

With her renowned storytelling gifts in full force, Colleen McCullough delivers a breathtaking novel that is both grand in scope and vivid in detail -- and proves once again why she is the top historical novelist of our time.

In the last days of the Roman Republic, Gaius Julius Caesar is both adored and despised -- but his rule is unshakable. Forced by civil war to leave his beguiling mistress Cleopatra, Caesar turns his eye to the future: who is to inherit the throne of Roman power? But in the shadows of the empire, the talk is of murder. Who among his associates has the cunning and skill to fell the fierce leader -- and brave the dangerous consequences of that cataclysmic act?

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"In her new book about the men who were instrumental in establishing the Rome of the Emperors, Colleen McCullough tells the story of a famous love affair and a man whose sheer ability could lead to only one end -- assassination. As The October Horse begins, Gaius Julius Caesar is at the height of his stupendous career. When he becomes embroiled in a civil war between Egypt's King Ptolemy and Queen Cleopatra, he finds himself torn between the fascinations of a remarkable woman and his duty as a Roman. Though he must leave Cleopatra, she remains a force in his life as a lover and as the mother of his only son, who can never inherit Caesar's Roman mantle, and therefore cannot solve his father's greatest dilemma -- who will be Caesar's Roman heir? A hero to all of Rome except to those among his colleagues who see his dictatorial powers as threats to the democratic system they prize so highly, Caesar is determined not to be worshiped as a god or crowned king, but his unique situation conspires to make it seem otherwise. Swearing to bring him down, Caesar's enemies masquerade as friends and loyal supporters while they plot to destroy him. Among them are his cousin and Master of the Horse, Mark Antony, feral and avaricious, priapic and impulsive; Gaius Trebonius, the nobody, who owes him everything; Gaius Cassius, eaten by jealousy; and the two Brutuses, his cousin Decimus, and Marcus, the son of his mistress Servilia, sad victim of his mother and of his uncle Cato, whose daughter he marries. All are in Caesar's debt, all have been raised to high positions, all are outraged by Caesar's autocracy. Caesar must die, they decide, for only when he is dead will Rome return to her old ways, her old republican self.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting and Absorbing .......2007-07-22

The October Horse is an interesting and absorbing book. I found myself engrossed in this well-crafted story. My only complaint is I expected to find a bit more of Cleopatra in the book. This novel made me even more curious about ancient Rome and get my hands on as many books related to the subject as possible.

how to decide a favorite?.......2007-07-06

This is the last book of the Masters of Rome series, and maybe the best, but it is so hard to decide. They are all exceptional and I strongly advise reading them from the first through to the last. I was lucky enough to have all of them on hand before beginning and went right through all 6 of them. What a treat!

But this last is probably my favorite for the way it brings Julius Caesar to life, from the most important and productive stages of his life, through the tragedy of his assasination and wrapping up the events immediately following the assasination: Antony and Cleopatra and the rise of Octavian/Augustus. I wanted the history to continue, but as Ms. McCullough writes in her author's notes, she had to stop somewhere or she would keep on forever!

I followed up this series by reading the recent biography by Adrian Goldsworthy called "Caesar". Another great book for anyone interested in a strict historical biography. Reading "Caesar", I was constantly amazed at the historical accuracy of Ms. McCullough's stories. She stayed with the truth while fleshing out the characters and bringing them to life. Mr. Goldsworthy makes positive mention of the Masters of Rome series in his epilogue, high praise indeed from an expert, scholarly historian of Ancient Rome. I found it a great treat to have read this series before tackling the long, dry biography. The memory of McCullough's wonderful books brought the real history to life!

Great Finish To An Outstanding Series.......2007-04-25

I'm a huge Julius Caesar fan, and have been ever since I first discovered him when I was in the seventh grade. The man was a true superstar. One of the most brilliant figures in history. Not only one of the greatest military leaders who ever lived, but also a consummate politician, gifted public speaker, and one of the greatest writers of latin prose ever. He excelled at everything he did. McCullough does an excellent job of portraying Caesar, and the other prominent players from the period of the decaying Roman Republic, in a way that makes their personalities and actions real and understandable. And they are all here: Cicero, Cato, Brutus, Cassius, Octavian, Labienus, Mark Antony, Cleopatra and all the rest. Caesar, however, is the star.

The writing is very good and McCullough's command of the actual history of the period is impeccable. She provides maps to help illustrate events. She has even sketched busts of the main characters which are, as far as possible, true to existing portraiture. She even explains her reasons for choices she makes in situations where the record is ambiguous or unclear. Her characters ring true. It's fiction because she invents conversations and conjures up personal incidents, but it is thoroughly researched and McCullough has full command of the factual material she is covering.

Sometimes, the writing is almost too real. As I approached Caesar's assassination, I knew perfectly well what was coming. Despite that knowledge, however, I found the hair on the back of my neck standing up straight as that brutal and tragic scene unfolded.

THE OCTOBER HORSE is the sixth and, regrettably, final book in McCullough's series about the life of Caesar and the collapse of the Roman Republic. The series is a long one, but it's well worth reading in it's entirety. It relates real events of genuinely epic proportions, and it is superbly done. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. It is at least as entertaining as any fiction you'll ever read. Ten stars if I could give them.

Very good book.......2007-03-09

This is a very readable account of a period in history which has not been well doncumented in literature [other than glamorous and untrue accounts of Cleopatra]. It is well written with just the right amount of dramatic action involved in what could have been a dusty history. It is a good value at the price and a book that one will read again and again.

Historical fiction that reads as if history is happening.......2006-12-10

In the culminating novel of her series depicting the collapse of the Roman Republic, Colleen McCullough details the events from the end of the war between Gaius Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great, through Caesar's defeating all other opposition, to his own assassination in Rome in 45 BC, to the battles of Philippi that ended the first phase of the civil wars and set the stage for the rise of Augustus and the Empire. "A kingdom for a stage, princes to act, and monarchs to behold the swelling scene" as Shakespeare said in a different context...

As with its predecessors starting with "The First Man in Rome", McCullough's novel is exquisitely detailed, little pieces of everyday Roman life falling into place with the larger scenes to move the plot forward; likewise, the action happens so convincingly that the reader can believe it is happening as it is being read- so that even though we all know Caesar died on that fateful Ides of March in 45 BC, the narration can keep us hoping something will change, something will intervene.

If this tale and its predecessors have a fault, it is that Caesar doesn't have one. It's clear, starting three volumes back with "Fortune's Favorites" that McCullough is an unabashed Caesar-fancier, and the books from that point on are definitely biased in his direction. While Cato, Caesar's perpetual adversary, has a reputation for incorruptibility but is portrayed as narrow, inflexible, small-minded and unyielding, many of the same charges could be laid at Caesar's door - except that he is the hero of the story, so what are faults in Cato's case are strengths or virtues for Caesar. Which doesn't make the story any less fun to read. Caesar was one of the seminal political figures of his age as well as one of the great military minds, and anything that brings him into a closer perspective is worth reading.

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