First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough

First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough

Rating 5 out of 5

Another great historical novel from Colleen McCullough. She paints such a vivid picture of Ancient Rome. Great reading and educational.

Her research, as always, is impeccable and the story is gripping.

The story takes place in Republican Rome, starting in 110 BC, and takes you through the African wars with Jugurtha and German wars with Boiorix. On the backdrop of this, we meet Gaius Marius - a military genius and Lucius Sulla, a an ambitious patrician. The story goes on to show how an unlikely alliance was formed between the two. The book goes on to show how Marius became the first man in Rome and consul seven times despite his non-patrician birth. Marius and all the other characters who loved and hated him are painted in vivid detail by the author, engaging the reader on every page. The book also introduces Julius Caesars' family as well as newborn Caesar. Brilliant book and highly recommend it.