Product Description

The astonishing life of Julius Caesar is recreated in a magnificent new novel that brilliantly interweaves history and adventure. An epic tale of ambition and rivalry, bravery and betrayal, from an outstanding new voice in historical fiction -- already a top ten bestseller in hardback. From the spectacle of gladiatorial combat to the intrigue of the Senate, from the foreign wars that created an empire to the betrayals that almost tore it apart, the Emperor novels tell the remarkable story of the man who would become the greatest Roman of them all: Julius Caesar. Brilliantly interweaving history and adventure, The Gates of Rome introduces an ambitious young man facing his first great test. In the city of Rome, a titanic power struggle is about to shake the Republic to its core. Citizen will fight citizen in a bloody conflict -- and Julius Caesar will be in the thick of the action.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #364 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 640 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
The first volume of a sequence of novels about Julius Caesar, The Gates of Rome is at its best in its scenes of gruelling training in swordplay and dirty fighting. Iggulden's Caesar is more or less fated from the start by his circumstances to be a gifted and cynical player in the great game of Roman senatorial politics--his father is an old-fashioned servant of the public good who dies in a slave revolt. Young Caesar finds himself having to hit the ground running--family alliances throw him onto the losing side in a battle for power between generals Marius and Sulla.

One reservation about Iggulden's story is that he simplifies the pushing and shoving of Rome's two most powerful men to a degree that makes Caesar's choices and loyalties too simple--this is a version of Rome in which politics is only about power and never about ideas. Caesar's friendship with his blood-brother Marcus is too redolent with historical irony--Marcus will be his assassin--and Iggulden is a little novelette-ish in his portrayal of young Caesar's affairs of the heart. This is a competent, routine account of material that deserves better than this handling of it. --Roz Kaveney

Review
'A brilliant story -- I wish I'd written it. A novel of vivid characters, stunning action and unrelenting pace. It really is a terrific read.' BERNARD CORNWELL 'The Gates of Rome is a big, sumptuous feast of a novel that's so vividly written I could hear the clang of swords and smell the scent of spice in the air. It held me enthralled from start to finish.' TESS GERRITSEN, author of The Apprentice

A debut by a British schoolteacher depicts the childhood and early career of Julius Caesar. In case you've forgotten your Suetonius, the later days of the Roman Republic were a rough time for the well connected. The fledging empire had established colonies farther and farther afield, colonies that reaped fortunes but required standing armies. The generals of these armies (who paid for the upkeep of their men out of their own pockets) all became laws unto themselves after a while; the Senate was the ultimate authority, but it was unwieldy, and rife with corruption and factions. When young Gaius, the son of a senator, was growing up, everyone expected that the Senate would soon have to appoint a Dictator-a Caesar-to reestablish order. But who? After his father is killed in a slave uprising, Gaius lives with his uncle, Marius the Consul, one of the leading contenders. Marius has just come back with his Legion from a successful campaign in Africa, but his rival Sulla has balked at allowing Marius and his troops to enter the city, lest the troops establish Marius as the Caesar. Sulla has been making a name for himself as a general and would naturally prefer that the Senate choose him. How does it end? With a civil war, naturally, in which Sulla's forces drive Marius and his army back to North Africa, then invade Greece to put down a rebellion led by Mithridates. While Sulla is away, however, Marius, having prevailed upon the Senate to declare Sulla a traitor, reenters the city in triumph. Young Gaius-now named "Julius" after his dead father-observes all the maneuverings and learns the most important lesson a Roman statesman can master: Trust no one. It becomes his motto once he is named the Caesar himself, but he makes one exception-for a childhood friend and blood-brother named Marcus Brutus. An absorbing portrait of ancient Roman life and history, well written and full of suspense-even for those who know the ending. (Kirkus Reviews)

David Gemmell
‘A rich and compelling novel that draws the reader into an extraordinary time and the life of an extraordinary man.’

Customer Reviews

Take it for what it is - pure fiction.
I wouldn't usually pick up a book in this genre but borrowed it on holiday when I had nothing to read. I was left pleasantly surprised but also slightly dissapointed. Surprised that I quite enjoyed the story - although it is just that, a story. Disappointed because I studied classical history and civilisation for 5 years and Iggulden does not follow historical fact although he is more accurate in the personality of the classical society and what they counted as important in life, and death. However, I will suspend belief and read the rest of the series.

Really good Read
This book is great if you don't want EXACT historical fact, but after all it IS a novel.
The research is excellent and Iggulden's descriptions of gladiatorial combat and what the streets of Rome were actually like ( filthy, unwholesome, etc.) despite the glorious buildings is extremely good. This is the first of his books which I have read and I shall certainly read the rest of this series and maybe his other works too.

Read it - I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Not what i normally read but very good
I'm normally into thriler books but read the first few pages on AMazon and thought it'd be a good book - i wasn't wrong! It has a great story and memorable characters. I can't believe the books are being criticised for not being historically accurate as this was not the authors intention - he wanted to write a gripping story based on some historical accuracies and in this regard he succeeded.

I've already started the second book out of the 4 (the death of kings) and the good news in it's as good as the first. No doubt soon i'll buy/read books 3 and 4 and then start on the conquerer series about Hanibal.

Recommended