First published 2006
Young Gaius Octavius receives news that will change his life forever: his great-uncle Julius Caesar has named him heir. Now called Augustus, he must navigate the treacherous world of Roman politics where allies become enemies overnight and every decision could mean death. Marc Antony challenges his claim to power while Cleopatra schemes from Egypt. Augustus faces impossible choices as he builds alliances, wages wars, and slowly consolidates control over the vast Roman territories. The Senate fears him, the people worship him, and his enemies plot against him. As he transforms the Roman Republic into an empire, Augustus discovers that absolute power demands absolute sacrifice. He must choose between personal happiness and political necessity, between the man he was and the emperor Rome needs. The weight of ruling the known world rests on his shoulders as he shapes a legacy that will endure for centuries.
Genres: biography, historical-fiction, political-thriller, ancient-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: political-intrigue, power-struggle
Setting: Rome, Egypt
Period: Ancient Rome
399 pages · Hardcover · John Murray