The first book in the epic Masters of Rome series. Rome. 110BC. A city which is home to Gaius Marius, prosperous but lowborn, a proud and disciplined soldier emboldened by his shrewdness and self-made wealth. It is also home to Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a handsome young aristocrat corrupted by poverty, a shameless pleasure seeker. Two men of extraordinary vision, men of ruthless ambition, both blessed and cursed by the special favour of Fortune. Men fated to lay the foundations of the most awesome empire ever known, and to play out a mighty struggle for power and glory - for Marius and Sulla share a formidable ambition: to become First Man in Rome.
©1990 Colleen McCullough (P)2012 Random House Audiobooks
"Brilliant and enjoyable way to enjoy history"
Colleen McCullough has written a brilliant series which really brings history to life and it's an amazing time in history - Western Civilisation down to today is shaped by the events told here. It's the story of the characters and events from the late days of the Roman Republic (through this and later books in the series), all the way to the days of Julius Caesar. While dialogue is created to fit the historical facts, Colleen has also drawn from known documents and incorporated these into the text. It's a masterful piece of work and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great story and/or loves history.