Masters of Rome

The First Man in Rome is the first historical novel in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series.

The novel includes most of the major historical figures of the late Roman Republic, including: Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla, as well as Gaius Julius Caesar (grandfather of Julius Caesar), Julia, Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus, Publius Rutilius Rufus and Lucius Appuleius Saturninus.

The main plot of the novel is generally concerned with the rise of Marius, his marriage to Julia, his success in replacing Metellus as general in charge of the Numidian theatre of war, his defeat of King Jugurtha of Numidia, his re-organization of the Roman Army system, his unprecedented consecutive consulships, his defeat of a massive invasion of German tribes (the Teutones, the Cimbri and the Marcomanni/Cherusci/Tigurini), and the details of his relationship with his subordinate and close friend Sulla.

However, though Marius can be considered the main protagonist, Sulla occasionally becomes the central figure of the narrative; there are several lengthy sections dealing with his plot to murder the two wealthy women with whom he lives, his use of the newfound wealth in establishing himself politically, his homosexual relationship with the Greek child-actor Metrobius, and his marriage to the (fictional) younger daughter of 'Julius Caesar Grandfather', Julilla.

The novel closes with the rise and fall of the demagogue Saturninus. After fighting many battles together, there is some reason for Marius and Sulla to hope that Rome will be at peace.

The Grass Crown is the second historical novel in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series.

The novel opens shortly after the action of The First Man in Rome. Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla eat dinner together with their wives, and discuss the threat presented by Mithridates VI of Pontus and Tigranes II of Armenia.

Though these two powerful Eastern rulers would eventually declare war on Rome, and slaughter thousands of Roman citizens, the plot of the novel centres on the Social War of 91 to 88 BC, a civil war which Rome fought against its mutinous Italian Allies after they were refused full Roman citizenship. (The lengthy section dealing with Marcus Livius Drusus' attempt to secure them the citizenship, which ends in his tragic assassination, is one of the main turning points in the entire series.)

Marius and Sulla, still friends and professional colleagues, face the Italian threat together, and succeed in putting down the rebellion of the Italians. During this struggle, Sulla, rallying his troops against certain destruction near Nola, is hailed as 'imperator' on the field of battle and presented with the highest honour a Roman general can receive: the corona graminea, the eponymous 'Grass Crown'. This was only awarded a very few times during the Republic, and only ever to a general or commander who broke the blockade around a beleaguered Roman army or otherwise saved an entire legion or army from annihilation.

However, once Rome has settled this pressing domestic matter, and can begin to plot revenge against Mithridates and Tigranes, Marius and Sulla have their first serious falling out over the question of who should lead the legions East. Marius, now an aged statesman dubbed the 'Third Founder of Rome', is pining for further glory and believes only he has the talent necessary to defeat the allied Kings. Sulla, of course, feels as though his old mentor is unwilling to step aside and wants to destroy his chance of ever outshining him. The seeds of serious discord are planted.

The commission quickly becomes a source of political conflict between the two men, and leads to Sulla's first shocking march on Rome. It also leads Gaius Marius to pursue an unheard of seventh consulship, which he wins and undertakes after suffering a series of strokes, and perhaps going mad.

Other narrative threads of note: the childhood of Julius Caesar and Cato the Younger, as well as the early military careers of Pompey and Cicero (who was appointed to Pompeius Strabo as a cadet) in the Social War.

Fortune's Favorites is the third historical novel in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series.

The novel opens with Lucius Cornelius Sulla's return from the East, his rise to the Dictatorship, and his proscriptions against those who formed an antagonistic government under Marius (now dead) while he was away.

While Sulla's shadow covers the majority of the rest of the book -- his physical deformity, after his pale skin is all but destroyed by intense sun exposure, is always contrasted with his near-absolute political power -- after his willing resignation of power, retirement to a pleasure villa and dramatic death, three young men of the next generation begin to vie to become the Masters of Rome in their own right: Pompey the Great's youthful campaigns and his fierce battle against the Roman renegade Quintus Sertorius are narrated, as are Marcus Licinius Crassus' struggle against Spartacus, and the youthful adventures of Julius Caesar.

The novel culminates with halcyon year of Pompey and Crassus' first joint consulship.

The book's title is a reference to an often repeated theme in the series, and expresses the Roman belief that Fortuna, the Goddess of Luck, would take a hand in the lives of those who please her, helping them along when they most needed it.

Caesar's Women is the fourth historical novel in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series, published on 21 March 1996.

The novel is set during a ten-year interval, from 68-58 BC, which Julius Caesar spent mainly in Rome, climbing the political ladder and outmaneuvering his many enemies. It opens with Caesar returning early from his quaestorship in Spain, and closes with his epochal departure for the Gallic campaigns.

Some of the pivotal moments include: Caesar's marriage to Pompeia; his curule aedileship; his narrow election as Pontifex Maximus in 63 BC; his praetorship in 62 BC; his divorce from Pompeia; his governorship of Further Spain; the first time he was hailed imperator on the field by his troops (for which success he could have secured a triumphal parade, but was blocked from doing so by Marcus Porcius Cato); the creation of the First Triumvirate, which Caesar formed with Marcus Licinius Crassus and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus in 60 BC; his betrothal of his daughter Julia to Pompey; his marriage to Calpurnia; and his first consulship, in 59 BC.

Despite the title, very little of the action has to do with the women in Caesar's life. Certainly, his divorce and re-marriage come into play, as does his daughter's marriage, his lengthy affair with Servilia and his close relationship with his mother, Aurelia. However, most of the plot is concerned with the political struggles of Caesar's rise to power, his conflict with the conservative 'boni' faction, and his election to each post on the Roman ladder of government.

Caesar is the fifth historical novel in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series.

The novel opens in 54 BC, with Caesar in the middle of his epochal Gallic campaigns, having just invaded Britannia. The first half of the novel deals broadly with the conclusion of his conquests in Gaul, and the second half narrates the growing sense of unease in Rome concerning Caesar's intentions, the antagonism of the conservative 'boni' faction towards him, his crossing of the Rubicon, his invasion of Italy and his victory in the Civil War.

Some of the pivotal moments include: Caesar's return from Britannia; his narrow escape during the battle of Gergovia; his great victory at Alesia, which involved the complete circumvallation of the citadel, the repulse of a relief force, and the acceptance of the surrender of Vercingetorix; his final destruction of the Gallic resistance at Uxellodunum; the death of Julia and Marcus Licinius Crassus; his falling out with Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus and the final collapse of the First Triumvirate system; his failed negotiations concerning his re-election as consul; the opening of the Civil War; the Battle of Dyrrhachium and the Battle of Pharsalus; the flight of Pompey to Ptolemaic Egypt and his assassination there; and the scattering of the 'boni' leadership.

When the book ends, Caesar has become the undisputed ruler of the Roman World, and he is facing the temptation of kingship.

The October Horse is the sixth novel in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series.

The October Horse begins with Gaius Julius Caesar's Egyptian campaign in Alexandria, his final battles with the Republicans led by Metellus Scipio, Cato the Younger, Titus Labienus and the Brothers Pompeius in Africa and Spain, and ultimately Caesar's assassination on the Ides Of March by Marcus Brutus, Gaius Cassius and the Liberators. The latter stages of The October Horse chronicles the death of Cicero, the emergence of Octavian and his battles with Mark Anthony then concluding with the Battle of Phillipi.

Explanation of the novel's title

The title of the book, The October Horse comes from the chariot race in Rome on the Ides of October, where the right-hand horse of the winning team was sacrificed to the Roman gods, before two teams, one each from The Subura and The Via Sacra competed for the Horse's head. Julius Caesar, literally the best war horse in Rome, represents The October Horse in this novel.

Antony and Cleopatra is the seventh and final novel in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series.

It has just been released in December 2007 just in time for holiday shopping.

Review

"A sprawling, captivating saga.... The tragic denouement is, in McCullough's capable hands, no less compelling for being so well known. As with the previous volumes in the series, the author's scholarship and larger-than-life characters bring a tempestuous Rome to life."

-- Publishers Weekly

Each book is a wonderful read as well as being excellent historical novels. You will actually learn some real Roman History unlike the questionable presentation in HBO's Rome.

Senex Magister