Forged in Rome

Ink and Iron #1

by Conn Iggulden

Can a slave . . . become a master?

AD 37. The Roman Republic has become a true empire, stretching from Egypt to the seacoast of Gaul. Sixty million people live under its rule.

A scribe in a noble household on the outskirts of the empire’s greatest city, a young man who has no memory of his past or his family. Where freedom exists for the privileged few, he has only ever known a life of slavery. His name is Cormac.

When Cormac’s master dies suddenly under suspicious circumstances, he finds himself furnished with documents freeing him from bondage. Surviving somewhere between slave and citizen, he quickly discovers the dangers that come with freedom. The city is a pitiless place for those without allies.

But the winds of fate are shifting. Cormac’s talents – his treasured ability to read and write – will soon take him from city slums to the mines of Gaul, to the island of Britannia and back to the hills of Rome.

Slave, scribe, soldier – Cormac will have to play Rome’s most dangerous game if he’s to secure wealth and power. For in this city, with skill, ambition and luck, perhaps such things can be won . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

409 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

About the author

Also publishes under author name C.F. Iggulden.

I was born in the normal way in 1971, and vaguely remember half-pennies and sixpences. I have written for as long as I can remember: poetry, short stories and novels. It’s what I always wanted to do and read English at London University with writing in mind. I taught English for seven years and was Head of English at St. Gregory’s RC High School in London by the end of that period. I have enormous respect for those who still labour at the chalk-face. In truth, I can’t find it in me to miss the grind of paperwork and initiatives. I do miss the camaraderie of the smokers’ room, as well as the lessons where their faces lit up as they understood what I was wittering on about.

My mother is Irish and from an early age she told me history as an exciting series of stories – with dates. My great-grandfather was a Seannachie, so I suppose story-telling is in the genes somewhere. My father flew in Bomber Command in WWII, then taught maths and science. Perhaps crucially, he also loved poetry and cracking good tales. Though it seems a dated idea now, I began teaching when boys were told only girls were good at English, despite the great names that must spring to mind after that statement. My father loved working with wood and equations, but he also recited ‘Vitai Lampada’ with a gleam in his eye and that matters, frankly.

I’ve always loved historical fiction as a genre and cut my teeth on Hornblower and Tai-Pan, Flashman, Sharpe and Jack Aubrey. I still remember the sheer joy of reading my first Patrick O’Brian book and discovering there were nineteen more in the series. I love just about anything by David Gemmell, or Peter F. Hamilton or Wilbur Smith. I suppose the one thing that links all those is the love of a good tale.

That’s about it for the moment. If you’d like to get in touch with me leave a comment in the forum or you can tweet me @Conn_Iggulden. I’ll leave it there for the moment. If you’ve read my books, you know an awful lot about the way I think already. There’s no point overdoing it.

Conn Iggulden

Reviews

[Mathew Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spotted this book in Waterstones after catching the word “Rome” out of the corner of my eye and it immediately grabbed my attention.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Simon Scarrow, but this was my first time reading Conn Iggulden, and he certainly didn’t disappoint. I finished the book in just under a week and found the premise fascinating: how does a slave rise from nothing to something?

The writing is strong, taking you from Rome to Britannia and back again, with plenty of twists along the way. It kept me hooked throughout.

If you’re a fan of Rome or enjoy Simon Scarrow’s work, I’d definitely recommend giving this a read. It’s a solid 4⭐ for me, and as the first in the series, I’m excited to see where the story goes next.

[Zoë Routh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slave, then freed, then misadventures and hopes dashed, then opportunities, near misses, plots for vengeance- this relentless tale of a tough life in Ancient Rome never lets up! Cormac and friend dash from terrible situation to the next, with plenty of collateral damage, guilt ebbing and flowing. Another great tale from Iggulden.

[David Lycett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional as always. Read this in about a week - each night not wanting to go to sleep so that I could read a few more pages. Although I have primarily liked his historical fiction of real characters - this was a pleasant departure.

[Marie George · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big Conn Iggulden fan, but this has to be my least favourite of his books so far.
I struggled about 3/4 of the way through & got a bit annoyed with it. It was like a bad over the top TV drama.
But persevered & then it picked up again.
But I have to say it was very predictable.
Not sure I'll read the follow up to it.
I won't give up on him as an author though, as loved every other book!

[Louise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I normally love Iggulden - his Nero series also set in Rome is excellent, but something about this one just did not agree with me.

It felt like it needed massively edited, with over-long descriptions ruining the flow of the story. I do wish we could have had more of the backstory for the main character, Cormac, as that seemed more interesting!

Where the story went felt contrived, sadly, and I can’t see me continuing with this series.

[Jeff Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read every single one of Conn's books and have loved them all to varying degrees - the Nero trilogy for example was very good as were the early Roman ones. I agree with some of the other reviewers that it perhaps wasn't as gripping as some of his other books, but I enjoyed it nevertheless and will always give his books a chance. Hopefully the sequel will be back to his razor-sharp best.

[Bill Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not one of my favourites

I found some of the story quite exaggerated,over the top and hard to believe that these events could actually happen. A bit too contrived. I don’t know if I’ll read the follow up when it comes out.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent again

This book is kinda a little different than normal but it still leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. It is a very interesting and enjoyable read.

[Ewa Myszkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much, the main character holds reader’s attention throughout the entire book ,during twists and turns of his life. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

[Sean Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. I’ve read the first two Nero books, and this new series tied in with it. I’d recommend to anyone interested in Rome.

[Benjamin Tolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I like Conn a lot. Good to start a new story from a different angle from his previous Roman novels, and the usual Roman books I read.

[chyssa Jamili · Rating 5 out of 5]

first time reading conn iggulden’s book and I could not stop reading it. Now i’m intrigued to read his other books.

[Phillip Downham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Conn, but from a different angle. thoroughly enjoyed this, particularly as it sits well in the time line alongside the tyrant trilogy.

[Gail Wylde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another great read from Conn Iggulden. Looking forward to book 2