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The First Emperor #3
Statesman of Rome: A Novel of Ancient Rome
The action-packed finale to the bestselling First Emperor Series!
39 BC. Now the governor of Transalpine Gaul, Marcus Agrippa is tasked with quelling a rebellion of the Aquitani tribes, led by the charismatic Brannus, who has sworn to eradicate every Roman from the province or die trying. But Agrippa’s troubles are only just beginning, for things are not quite what they seem, with powerful forces working behind the scenes to ensure that he fails and never returns to Rome. With the Aquitani now in revolt, and word arriving that some of the Germanic tribes are preparing to cross the Rhine, the one-time slave named Luan will need all of his intelligence, strength, and ingenuity just to survive.
Meanwhile, back in Rome, the pact between the triumvirs and Sextus Pompey is reaching the breaking point, with the city once again starving from lack of grain as pirates raid the sea lanes with impunity. Despite the deteriorating circumstances, the senior member of the triumvirs, Marcus Antonius, has little interest in Rome’s plight, preferring to remain in Egypt preparing to invade Parthia. After Octavius suffers a devastating naval defeat against Pompey, and with a populace on the brink of insurrection and few seaworthy ships left in his fleet to call upon, he turns to the one person who can offer Rome salvation—his right-hand man, Marcus Agrippa.
But Agrippa’s journey is far from over. As the tides of war shift, he finds himself not only dealing with rebellious tribes and political machinations but also his arch rival and enemy, Marcus Antonius, with the two men destined to clash in a decisive battle at Actium that will determine the fate of Rome and give birth to an Empire.
39 BC. Now the governor of Transalpine Gaul, Marcus Agrippa is tasked with quelling a rebellion of the Aquitani tribes, led by the charismatic Brannus, who has sworn to eradicate every Roman from the province or die trying. But Agrippa’s troubles are only just beginning, for things are not quite what they seem, with powerful forces working behind the scenes to ensure that he fails and never returns to Rome. With the Aquitani now in revolt, and word arriving that some of the Germanic tribes are preparing to cross the Rhine, the one-time slave named Luan will need all of his intelligence, strength, and ingenuity just to survive.
Meanwhile, back in Rome, the pact between the triumvirs and Sextus Pompey is reaching the breaking point, with the city once again starving from lack of grain as pirates raid the sea lanes with impunity. Despite the deteriorating circumstances, the senior member of the triumvirs, Marcus Antonius, has little interest in Rome’s plight, preferring to remain in Egypt preparing to invade Parthia. After Octavius suffers a devastating naval defeat against Pompey, and with a populace on the brink of insurrection and few seaworthy ships left in his fleet to call upon, he turns to the one person who can offer Rome salvation—his right-hand man, Marcus Agrippa.
But Agrippa’s journey is far from over. As the tides of war shift, he finds himself not only dealing with rebellious tribes and political machinations but also his arch rival and enemy, Marcus Antonius, with the two men destined to clash in a decisive battle at Actium that will determine the fate of Rome and give birth to an Empire.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2025
63 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Terry Cloutier
25 books98 followersTerry Cloutier, the bestselling author of the Wolf of Corwick Castle series, The First Emperor series, and The Past Lives Chronicles, is currently writing a stand-alone time travel novel called A Picture in Time, scheduled for release in fall 2025. Following that, he plans to begin work on the tenth book in the Wolf of Corwick series, titled The Wolf at Bay. Terry resides in Canada with his wife and their two dogs. You can contact Terry through Facebook or Goodreads; he'd love to hear from you.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 14, 2025
This was an excellent series-ending novel - presumably as it definitely can be continued if the author wants it. Based on the conceit that Marcus Agrippa was actually an impostor (the whole tale is told in the first volume) though much more capable and loyal to Caesar Augustus than the "original", this novel starts soon after the Perusian war in 40 BC, when Agrippa is sent by Octavius Caesar (not yet Augustus of course) to Gaul to deal with difficulties there and essentially ends after Actium and the conquest of Egypt - the conceit now is that the narrator Agrippa, now close to 80 and living in obscurity after he faked his death some 25 years or so earlier -and telling this tale just after Augustus' death is also on the verge of death by some incurable malady of old age, so he has time to recount only the momentous events until Augustus won supreme power at the battle of Actium and consolidated it after looting Egypt the following year to pay the troops and rebuild Rome, while going fast in a few pages over everything that came after, but with the promise to tell more details if he gets better...
This solves neatly the main issue of this being the last book of a trilogy that would cover a long period (in reality Agrippa lived another 18 years or so after the conquest of Egypt in 30 BC, so the trilogy which essentially covers the years 48-30 is about only the first half of his adult life), while of course leaving room for more if somehow the fake Agrippa gets better even only temporarily and wants to write more about his life.
The novel has excellent pace and narrative power and a very good mixture of action - battle on land and at sea as well as personal combat - with intrigue, politics and personal details like Agrippa's first (and last) interview with Cleopatra which is superbly done.
Highly recommended and while the second series novel is not quite of the same quality, this one and the series debut are superb and the whole series a great reading experience overall.
This solves neatly the main issue of this being the last book of a trilogy that would cover a long period (in reality Agrippa lived another 18 years or so after the conquest of Egypt in 30 BC, so the trilogy which essentially covers the years 48-30 is about only the first half of his adult life), while of course leaving room for more if somehow the fake Agrippa gets better even only temporarily and wants to write more about his life.
The novel has excellent pace and narrative power and a very good mixture of action - battle on land and at sea as well as personal combat - with intrigue, politics and personal details like Agrippa's first (and last) interview with Cleopatra which is superbly done.
Highly recommended and while the second series novel is not quite of the same quality, this one and the series debut are superb and the whole series a great reading experience overall.
February 10, 2025
Amazing narrative!
Wow. Just finished this , it was everything I desire in historical fiction. Facts weaved in with a fiction that holds your attention and will not let it go. Agrippa is an amazing character in history. I think on a pedestal even with Augustus, but just below Julius Caesar. Mr. Cloutier has outdone himself in this series. Don't miss it. I have been starting and stopping historical fiction series's lately due to boredom, poor storytelling, or an interpretation of characters that clearly does not match their accomplishments. But, Mr. Cloutier treats all his characters with the respect they deserve. Again, don't miss this series.
Wow. Just finished this , it was everything I desire in historical fiction. Facts weaved in with a fiction that holds your attention and will not let it go. Agrippa is an amazing character in history. I think on a pedestal even with Augustus, but just below Julius Caesar. Mr. Cloutier has outdone himself in this series. Don't miss it. I have been starting and stopping historical fiction series's lately due to boredom, poor storytelling, or an interpretation of characters that clearly does not match their accomplishments. But, Mr. Cloutier treats all his characters with the respect they deserve. Again, don't miss this series.
September 18, 2025
Extraordinary Series Ends Extremely Well
I loved this series. The rise of the Roman Empire comes to life in the incredible narrative of Marcus Agrippa, actual historical figure and lifelong friend to Octavius Caesar. You will become a Roman citizen, march with the legions, and sit in the high councils with the makers of the greatest empire in world history.
Put aside the video games and rally to Caesar's standard. Rome awaits your sword and shield.
Highly recommended.
I loved this series. The rise of the Roman Empire comes to life in the incredible narrative of Marcus Agrippa, actual historical figure and lifelong friend to Octavius Caesar. You will become a Roman citizen, march with the legions, and sit in the high councils with the makers of the greatest empire in world history.
Put aside the video games and rally to Caesar's standard. Rome awaits your sword and shield.
Highly recommended.
March 1, 2025
Inspiring story about friendship
Easy to read, intense at moments, engaging plot, very interesting historial personage...
Mostly, a great friendship drama.
Detailed battles and quite close to the historical facts.
Easy to read, intense at moments, engaging plot, very interesting historial personage...
Mostly, a great friendship drama.
Detailed battles and quite close to the historical facts.
October 3, 2025
Incredible novel in every way
Of the 100s Roman era books I have read this series is my favorite. It is original and so well written while keeping the key historical facts perfectly aligned throughout the story. A masterpiece in storytelling.
Of the 100s Roman era books I have read this series is my favorite. It is original and so well written while keeping the key historical facts perfectly aligned throughout the story. A masterpiece in storytelling.
February 20, 2025
Finish of the Republice
Another excellent story which you follow the lives and endings of various Roman and of course Egyptian persons.It is intriguing to the ls page.
Another excellent story which you follow the lives and endings of various Roman and of course Egyptian persons.It is intriguing to the ls page.
April 11, 2025
last of a very good series
The final chapter in the series as always well written and strong characters.
Let’s hope we get more “Roman” books
The final chapter in the series as always well written and strong characters.
Let’s hope we get more “Roman” books
May 20, 2025
excellent Read
excellent book by Terry Cloutier about the Roman legions. buy it you won’t be disappointed.
Joe Corso: author of ‘the Last Gun-Shark
excellent book by Terry Cloutier about the Roman legions. buy it you won’t be disappointed.
Joe Corso: author of ‘the Last Gun-Shark
June 6, 2025
Rome at its best
The story continues, brilliant in every way. Rome will never forget great men that were truly Roman …. Or are they 👍
The story continues, brilliant in every way. Rome will never forget great men that were truly Roman …. Or are they 👍
November 9, 2025
4.0/5.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews