Could the killing of Germanicus Julius Caesar—the grandson of Mark Antony, adopted son of the emperor Tiberius, father of Caligula, and grandfather of Nero—while the Roman Empire was still in its infancy have been the root cause of the empire's collapse more than four centuries later? This brilliant investigation of Germanicus Caesar’s death and its aftermath is both a compelling history and first-class murder mystery with a plot twist Agatha Christie would envy.
Could the killing of Germanicus Julius Caesar—the grandson of Mark Antony, adopted son of the emperor Tiberius, father of Caligula, and grandfather of Nero—while the Roman Empire was still in its infancy have been the root cause of the empire's collapse more than four centuries later? This brilliant investigation of Germanicus Caesar’s death and its aftermath is both a compelling history and first-class murder mystery with a plot twist Agatha Christie would envy.
This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today. This history based on events recorded by ancient historians Sallust, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius, and others, reads like a novel. It explores the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The demands of heredity loomed large in their lives. Those who sprang from greatness must be great themselves, whether or not they had either the ability or the desire to be so. This book presents the challenges and dilemmas of the Caesars and their contemporaries in narrative form with interpolations of dialogue as the ancient writers did, taking the known facts and interpreting the characters through them, giving real people the motivations they may have had. This book provides readers a new thought-provoking look at one of the most fascinating families in history and one whose profound effect upon the world still touches us today.
This eBook edition features exclusive bonus content, Conn Iggulden’s original short story “Fig Tree.” One of history’s most notorious assassinations sets the stage for a riveting tale of political intrigue, epic battle, and righteous retribution in a new novel of ancient Rome from #1 New York Times bestselling author Conn Iggulden. THE BLOOD OF GODS Julius Caesar has been cut down. His blood stains the hands of a cabal of bold conspirators, led by famed general Marcus Brutus—whom Caesar once called a friend. Have these self-proclaimed liberators bravely slain a power-mad tyrant or brutally murdered the beloved Father of Rome? Hailed as heroes by a complicit Senate and granted amnesty, the killers eagerly turn toward plotting the empire’s future under their control. But Caesar’s death does not rest easily with all of Rome. For two men whose bonds of friendship, family, and fidelity to the emperor are unbreakable, the shocking assassination is nothing less than treason. And those responsible must pay with their lives. Through countless battles and years of peace, Marc Antony has wielded a sword and raised a cup at Caesar’s side. Now, in the wake of the cold-blooded coup, he is powerless against the political might of Brutus and his treacherous senators. Yet with no weapons other than eloquence and outrage, Antony will turn the tide of public opinion and spark a rebellion that will set the streets of Rome ablaze. At the same time, Gaius Octavian, adopted son and chosen heir of Caesar, has gained wealth and influence beyond imagining. But the soul-deep wound of his father’s death will never be healed by gold or power. He will rest only with the blood of the killers on his blade. Drawn together by their common cause, Antony and Octavian marshal their forces into an avenging army on a mission to reunite all that Caesar’s fall has torn asunder. Even as his cohorts flee for their lives—or fall prey to vigilantes—a defiant Brutus vows never to relinquish what his ruthless ambition has won him. As opposing legions join in mortal combat, the destiny of Rome will turn on which of their commanders is the mightiest and most cunning. Marking the author’s triumphant return to the setting of his celebrated Emperor series, The Blood of Gods unfolds with unmatched power, electric with the high-adventure storytelling, captivating historical detail, and stirring battle scenes for which Conn Iggulden is renowned. Praise for Conn Iggulden’s Empire series “Dramatic historical fiction to keep adults turning pages like enthralled kids . . . [Iggulden] is a grand storyteller. . . . A spirited, entertaining read.”—USA Today “Exhilarating . . . Words like ‘brilliant,’ ‘sumptuous’ and ‘enchanting’ jostle to be used, but scarcely convey the way Iggulden brings the schoolbook tale to life, or the compelling depictions of battle, treachery and everyday detail in a precarious world well lost but vividly re-created.”—Los Angeles Times “What Robert Graves did for Claudius, Conn Iggulden now does for the most famous Roman emperor of them all—Julius Caesar.”—William Bernhardt, author of Criminal Intent “[Iggulden] excels at describing battle scenes both small-scale and epic.”—The Seattle Times “Utterly marvelous . . . Solid research and a real knack for character development bring [Julius Caesar] to life in a truly magical, electrifying way.”—The Telegram (St. John’s, Newfoundland)
Bestselling classical historian Barry Strauss delivers “an exceptionally accessible history of the Roman Empire…much of Ten Caesars reads like a script for Game of Thrones” (The Wall Street Journal)—a summation of three and a half centuries of the Roman Empire as seen through the lives of ten of the most important emperors, from Augustus to Constantine. In this essential and “enlightening” (The New York Times Book Review) work, Barry Strauss tells the story of the Roman Empire from rise to reinvention, from Augustus, who founded the empire, to Constantine, who made it Christian and moved the capital east to Constantinople. During these centuries Rome gained in splendor and territory, then lost both. By the fourth century, the time of Constantine, the Roman Empire had changed so dramatically in geography, ethnicity, religion, and culture that it would have been virtually unrecognizable to Augustus. Rome’s legacy remains today in so many ways, from language, law, and architecture to the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. Strauss examines this enduring heritage through the lives of the men who shaped it: Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Diocletian, and Constantine. Over the ages, they learned to maintain the family business—the government of an empire—by adapting when necessary and always persevering no matter the cost. Ten Caesars is a “captivating narrative that breathes new life into a host of transformative figures” (Publishers Weekly). This “superb summation of four centuries of Roman history, a masterpiece of compression, confirms Barry Strauss as the foremost academic classicist writing for the general reader today” (The Wall Street Journal).
From the bestselling author of Warrior of Rome comes the second book in an epic new series set in third century Rome; a dramatic era of murder, coup, counter-rebellions and civil war. Rome, AD238. An assassin masked as Emperor Maximinus' messenger murders the Prefect and announces to Rome that their Emperor is dead in the north and that Gordian I and II have taken the Throne of the Caesars. But Maximinus is not dead. Secretly he is gathering an army on the banks of the Danube waiting for his moment to strike on the Goths. In Rome, the Gordiani are enthroned and Maximus denounced as an enemy of the state along with any known followers. As bloodshed ensues on the streets, and news spreads back to Maximinus, tension rise in the fight for the imperial purple, which will culminate in a mighty battle of Carthage.
Assigned by Emperor Domitian to search for blood heirs to the Emperor Augustus, Pliny and Tacitus seek solutions to layers of mysteries. Why is a humble workman's death important to the ruler of Rome, and what connects him to Pliny's household? How do Domitian's suspicions relate to Pliny's old friend and mentor? Is Tacitus' father-in-law Agricola a villain, victim or savior? Like a sinister red line slashed through a carefully prepared manuscript, the legacy of Augustus marks the connections. Will the answers save the peace of Rome, or mark its doom? Praise for the series: Outstandingly researched and laden with suspense, this journey into ancient Rome by history professor Bell could be one of the masterpieces of the historical mystery genre. Lindsey Davis and Steven Saylor will hold readers over until the third casebook of Pliny the Younger publishes. Highly recommended for all collections. -Jo Ann Vicarel, Library Journal, Starred Review Wonderful historical mystery set in the Roman Empire ... Historical figures come alive in [Bell's] expert hands. -Bob Spear, Heartland Reviews: Five Hearts Colorful characters, both fictional and historical, ... reveal the sordid web of money, greed and ruthlessness hidden behind the facade of civilization. -Suzanne Crane, The Historical Novels Review Superlative job of leading the reader into his Roman world, ... A winner all around! -Margaret F. Baker, Past Tense, the publication of the Historical Mystery Appreciation Society Masterful blend of history and mystery. ... wonderful book. with splendid characters, vivid history and a fair and puzzling mystery. I heartily recommend it.-Barbara D'Amato, award-winning author of three mystery series, Past President of Mystery Writers Internationals and Sisters in Crime International Bell promises us a series, and this reviewer for one looks eagerly forward to the next installment! -Irene Hahn, Romahost, About.com
A powerful tale of war, romance, and one of history's most desperate gambles Julius Caesar was nothing if not bold. When, in the wake of his defeat of Pompey at Pharsalus his victorious legions refused to march another step under his command, he pursued his fleeing rival into Egypt with an impossibly small force of Gallic and German cavalry, raw Italian recruits, and nine hundred Spanish prisoners of war-tough veterans of Pompey's Sixth Legion. Cleopatra's Kidnappers tells the epic saga of Caesar's adventures in Egypt through the eyes of these captured, but never defeated, legionaries. In this third volume in his definitive history of the Roman legions, Stephen Dando-Collins reveals how this tiny band of fierce warriors led Caesar's little army to great victories against impossible odds. Bristling with action and packed with insights and newly revealed facts, this eye-opening account introduces you to the extraordinary men who made possible Caesar's famous boast, "I came, I saw, I conquered." Praise for Caesar's Legion "A unique and splendidly researched story, following the trials and triumphs of Julius Caesar's Legio X. . . . 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
From the bestselling author of WARRIOR OF ROME comes the second book in an epic new series set in third century Rome; a dramatic era of murder, coup, counter-rebellions and civil war.
