First published 1199
Rome trembles as ambitious generals circle like wolves around power. Gaius Marius, the old warhorse who reformed the legions, refuses to fade quietly into history. Lucius Sulla, aristocratic and ruthless, believes destiny calls him to restore the old order through blood and fire. Pompey the Great, young and hungry, builds his reputation on foreign battlefields while eyeing the greatest prize of all. These three titans forge and break alliances as it suits them. Their rivalry plays out across Rome's marble forums and distant provinces alike. Soldiers die for their ambitions. The Republic's ancient traditions bend and snap under the weight of their competing dreams. Each man believes fortune favors him alone. Their struggle will determine whether Rome remains a republic of citizens or becomes something entirely new. McCullough weaves their personal hatreds and political calculations into the larger story of an empire learning to rule the world.
Genres: historical-fiction, military-fiction, political-thriller, epic
Vibes: epic, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, political-intrigue
Setting: Rome
Period: Republic, 265-30 B.C., Republic, ca. 265-30 B.C.
878 pages · Century