What do you think?
Rate this book
Caesar's Soldier
Who was the man that would become Caesar's lieutenant, Brutus' rival, Cleopatra's lover, and Octavian's enemy?
When his stepfather is executed for his involvement in the Catilinarian conspiracy, Mark Antony and his family are disgraced. His adolescence is marked by scandal and mischief, his love affairs are fleeting, and yet, his ambition is vast.
Antony's path to prosperity leads him to an education in Athens, a campaign for a seat in the Senate, and a position of military command. Undeterred by his baptism of fire on the battlefields of Judaea and Egypt, he climbs the ranks to become the right hand man of Rome's most famous general, Julius Caesar.
The first of an epic new four book series, Caesar's Soldier brings to life the world of one of history's greatest warriors and romantics, as he becomes an integral part of the Roman Republic in its moment of glory and crisis. Perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell.
Praise for Caesar's Soldier:
'A bold and exciting recreation of the Roman world' Harry Sidebottom, author of the Warrior of Rome series
'A compelling and admirably detailed opening act to what promises to be a truly epic saga.' Ian Ross, author of the Twilight of Empire series
'Roman fiction has a new master in Alex Gough.' S. J. A. Turney, author of the Marius' Mules series
'Caesar's Soldier puts flesh on the historical bones of Marcus Antonius... The first in a series, Caesar's Soldier leaves us eagerly awaiting the next volume' Amanda Cockrell, author of The Borderlands Books
'A tour de force from a master of Roman fiction' Gordon Doherty, author of the Rise of Emperors series
'A fascinating account of a complex and compelling man' Ruth Downie, author of the Medicus Series
'Another thrilling Roman read from Alex Gough, sparkling with life' Alison Morton, author of the Roma Nova Thrillers
When his stepfather is executed for his involvement in the Catilinarian conspiracy, Mark Antony and his family are disgraced. His adolescence is marked by scandal and mischief, his love affairs are fleeting, and yet, his ambition is vast.
Antony's path to prosperity leads him to an education in Athens, a campaign for a seat in the Senate, and a position of military command. Undeterred by his baptism of fire on the battlefields of Judaea and Egypt, he climbs the ranks to become the right hand man of Rome's most famous general, Julius Caesar.
The first of an epic new four book series, Caesar's Soldier brings to life the world of one of history's greatest warriors and romantics, as he becomes an integral part of the Roman Republic in its moment of glory and crisis. Perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell.
Praise for Caesar's Soldier:
'A bold and exciting recreation of the Roman world' Harry Sidebottom, author of the Warrior of Rome series
'A compelling and admirably detailed opening act to what promises to be a truly epic saga.' Ian Ross, author of the Twilight of Empire series
'Roman fiction has a new master in Alex Gough.' S. J. A. Turney, author of the Marius' Mules series
'Caesar's Soldier puts flesh on the historical bones of Marcus Antonius... The first in a series, Caesar's Soldier leaves us eagerly awaiting the next volume' Amanda Cockrell, author of The Borderlands Books
'A tour de force from a master of Roman fiction' Gordon Doherty, author of the Rise of Emperors series
'A fascinating account of a complex and compelling man' Ruth Downie, author of the Medicus Series
'Another thrilling Roman read from Alex Gough, sparkling with life' Alison Morton, author of the Roma Nova Thrillers
405 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2023
About the author
Alex Gough
36 books115 followers Avid reader of multiple genres, including thriller, sci-fi and fantasy, but particularly interested in historical fiction. Author of Roman historical fiction, and owner of the romanfiction.com blog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 7, 2026
Introducing Mark Antony
In Author's comments, Alex Gough, after listing a bunch of popular works in which Mark Antony has a supporting role, comments
Caesar's Soldier, the first book, covers Antony's life from adolescence through the Battle of Alesia, in which Caesar defeated the Gallic forces led by Vercingetorix. Antony was one of Caesar's officers in that fight and served with distinction. Antony is in his thirties when Caesar's Soldier ends, so still a relatively young man.
I think what surprised me most about this novel is that Antony comes across as a lightweight: a big handsome lady's man who drinks and parties too much and spends money he doesn't have. This is unfair to Antony -- he has great physical courage. Also, he's not stupid. I wouldn't use the words 'wise' or 'intelligent,' but he is cunning, clever in devising strategies that work.
In fact, I can't help comparing Antony to Silus, the hero of Gough's Imperial Assassin series. Silus appears to me a far more impressive person than the Antony portrayed in Caesar's Soldier. This judgment is obviously unfair -- I have read six of Gough's books about Silus and only one about Antony. Antony, like Silus, will grow as the series proceeds. (It is also my personal misfortune to have read Caesar's Soldier when the news is full of a soldier who shares most of Antony's faults and none of his virtues. It is certainly unfair to see Antony in Hegseth -- unfair to the disadvantage of the former and the advantage of the latter, but, alas, human brains don't work the way they ought to.)
Still, although I acknowledge that my perception of young Antony as a lightweight is unfair, I don't think it's entirely wrong. He is depicted as such because at this point he still was, compared to what he would later become. He still has ahead of him the influence of Julius Caesar, living and dead, the love of Cleopatra, and the struggle with Octavian.
Blog review.
In Author's comments, Alex Gough, after listing a bunch of popular works in which Mark Antony has a supporting role, comments
But it is rare for Antony to be given his own voice, and to be presented as a fully rounded character, a human being capable of great heroism, great kindness, great cruelty and great folly. He is often defined by his flaws rather than his virtues.That is an accurate description of my own familiarity with Antony. Gough's Mark Antony series is an opportunity to see Antony more fully.
Caesar's Soldier, the first book, covers Antony's life from adolescence through the Battle of Alesia, in which Caesar defeated the Gallic forces led by Vercingetorix. Antony was one of Caesar's officers in that fight and served with distinction. Antony is in his thirties when Caesar's Soldier ends, so still a relatively young man.
I think what surprised me most about this novel is that Antony comes across as a lightweight: a big handsome lady's man who drinks and parties too much and spends money he doesn't have. This is unfair to Antony -- he has great physical courage. Also, he's not stupid. I wouldn't use the words 'wise' or 'intelligent,' but he is cunning, clever in devising strategies that work.
In fact, I can't help comparing Antony to Silus, the hero of Gough's Imperial Assassin series. Silus appears to me a far more impressive person than the Antony portrayed in Caesar's Soldier. This judgment is obviously unfair -- I have read six of Gough's books about Silus and only one about Antony. Antony, like Silus, will grow as the series proceeds. (It is also my personal misfortune to have read Caesar's Soldier when the news is full of a soldier who shares most of Antony's faults and none of his virtues. It is certainly unfair to see Antony in Hegseth -- unfair to the disadvantage of the former and the advantage of the latter, but, alas, human brains don't work the way they ought to.)
Still, although I acknowledge that my perception of young Antony as a lightweight is unfair, I don't think it's entirely wrong. He is depicted as such because at this point he still was, compared to what he would later become. He still has ahead of him the influence of Julius Caesar, living and dead, the love of Cleopatra, and the struggle with Octavian.
Blog review.
Displaying 1 of 1 review