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Emperor #2
Kungars död
Brilliant...stunning," raved the Los Angeles Times about Conn Iggulden's first novel, Emperor: The Gates of Rome. "Iggulden is a grand storyteller," declared USA Today. Now Iggulden returns to the landscape of ancient Rome and the life of Julius Caesar in a new novel filled with all the sumptuous storytelling that distinguished his first book. Sweeping from the windswept, pirate-ruled seas to the stifling heat of the Roman senate, Iggulden takes us further down the path to glory as Julius Caesar comes into his own as a man, warrior, senator, husband, leader.
In a sweltering, sparsely settled region of North Africa, a band of disheveled soldiers turn their eyes toward one man among them. Ragged, dirty, and half starved, the men will follow their leader into the mad, glorious fight for honor and revenge that only he wants to fight. Their leader is named Julius Caesar. The soldiers are Roman legionaries. And their quarry is a band of pirates who made the mistake of seizing Julius Caesar - and holding him for ransom. Now, to get his revenge, Caesar will turn peasants into soldiers, building a shipborne fighting force that will not only decimate a pirate fleet but will dominate the Mediterranean, earning him the coveted title Military Tribune of Rome.
In a sweltering, sparsely settled region of North Africa, a band of disheveled soldiers turn their eyes toward one man among them. Ragged, dirty, and half starved, the men will follow their leader into the mad, glorious fight for honor and revenge that only he wants to fight. Their leader is named Julius Caesar. The soldiers are Roman legionaries. And their quarry is a band of pirates who made the mistake of seizing Julius Caesar - and holding him for ransom. Now, to get his revenge, Caesar will turn peasants into soldiers, building a shipborne fighting force that will not only decimate a pirate fleet but will dominate the Mediterranean, earning him the coveted title Military Tribune of Rome.
While Caesar builds a legend far from Rome, his friend Gaius Brutus is fighting battles of another sort, rising to power in the wake of the shocking assassination of a dictator. Once Brutus and Caesar were as close as brothers, both devoted to the same ideals and attracted to the same forbidden woman. Now, when Caesar returns - with the winds of glory at his back - they will find themselves at odds. For each hasbuilt an army of elite warriors - Caesar's forged in far-flung battles, Brutus' from Rome's political killing fields. But in an era when men die for their treachery and their allegiances, the two men will soon be united by a shock wave from the north. There, a gladiator named Spartacus is gathering strength, building an army of seventy thousand desperate slaves - to fight a cataclysmic battle against Rome itself.
Filled with unforgettable images - from the death throes of a king to the birth of Caesar's child, from the bloody battlefields of Greece to the silent passion of lovers - Emperor: The Death of Kings is an astounding work, a stunning blend of vibrant history and thrilling fiction.
Conn Iggulden is the acclaimed author of Emperor: The Gates of Rome, the first novel in the Emperor series. He lives with his wife and two children in Hertfordshire, England.
475 pages, Hardcover
First published January 4, 2004
563 people are currently reading
7228 people want to read
About the author
Conn Iggulden
148 books6,154 followersAlso 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 590 reviews
January 26, 2015
So horribly torn on this book. I really like Iggulden's writing and the period and characters are exciting and fascinating. But I found myself continually screaming at the author "That's not even remotely close to what happened!" I'm no expert on Roman history, but the flaws are glaring. Brutus was some 15 years younger than Julius Caesar, not the same age. Sulla was not assassinated in office, I could go on and on, many of the changes are trivial, but some of them completely change the motivations and conflicts of the characters. The fate of Sulla is probably the single biggest flaw, changing not only Sulla's personal character but the character of Roman politics for the worse. Worse, Iggulden knows exactly what he's doing, but tries to justify it as a better story.
It seems we have here a major philosophical disagreement about the purpose and nature of historical fiction. I believe the idea is to take what actually happened (so far as we know it) and extrapolate further flesh for those bones, not to assemble a whole new skeleton out of random pieces parts that we think look better. I may read the other books in the series, Iggulden's writing style earns a four star rating at the least, but I'll probably rant and scream at them too. And I'll never buy them.
It seems we have here a major philosophical disagreement about the purpose and nature of historical fiction. I believe the idea is to take what actually happened (so far as we know it) and extrapolate further flesh for those bones, not to assemble a whole new skeleton out of random pieces parts that we think look better. I may read the other books in the series, Iggulden's writing style earns a four star rating at the least, but I'll probably rant and scream at them too. And I'll never buy them.
February 16, 2025
This is the second book in the Emperor series and continues the story from when Marius was killed, Julius Caesar left Rome and Sulla rules over Rome.
Sulla is a dictator, ruling Rome with an iron fist and takes pleasure in harassing Julius Caesar’s wife Cornelia. This during the time when she is pregnant and also after she gives birth to a baby girl. Clodia, her maid, tells Tubruk. Tubruk understands he has to do something about it though it is extremely risky. He gains entrance as a cook in the palace. Julius Caesar and Brutus are away but meet, now planning their return to Rome. Brutus is introduced to his mother Servilia who had abandoned him. Over a few meetings he understands her constraints.
As with the first book there is a lot of warfare. The other big element in this book is politics – rivalry & scheming going with it. The characters are good, though the development could have been better. There is considerable violence, brutality and cruelty (slavery & otherwise) – but as I pointed out in Book 1, it is does come across as a genuine reflection of the times. I did expect a higher standard of discourse among the political elite but maybe this is how it was. In the author note, Conn Iggulden mentions that he has significantly changed Sulla’s life trajectory for a reason.
An interesting series and I look forward to reading the next book shortly.
Sulla is a dictator, ruling Rome with an iron fist and takes pleasure in harassing Julius Caesar’s wife Cornelia. This during the time when she is pregnant and also after she gives birth to a baby girl. Clodia, her maid, tells Tubruk. Tubruk understands he has to do something about it though it is extremely risky. He gains entrance as a cook in the palace. Julius Caesar and Brutus are away but meet, now planning their return to Rome. Brutus is introduced to his mother Servilia who had abandoned him. Over a few meetings he understands her constraints.
As with the first book there is a lot of warfare. The other big element in this book is politics – rivalry & scheming going with it. The characters are good, though the development could have been better. There is considerable violence, brutality and cruelty (slavery & otherwise) – but as I pointed out in Book 1, it is does come across as a genuine reflection of the times. I did expect a higher standard of discourse among the political elite but maybe this is how it was. In the author note, Conn Iggulden mentions that he has significantly changed Sulla’s life trajectory for a reason.
An interesting series and I look forward to reading the next book shortly.
September 27, 2018
Book 1: 3*
Book 2: 3.25*
A better book than the first. This still reads like being told a story and is very stiff. After reading his Ghengis series which put you in the heart of the action I was expecting more. Hopefully the next 3 books get there.
Book 2: 3.25*
A better book than the first. This still reads like being told a story and is very stiff. After reading his Ghengis series which put you in the heart of the action I was expecting more. Hopefully the next 3 books get there.
April 29, 2020
Cuatro estrellas que podían ser cinco.
No sé por qué no le cae la quinta, porque os aseguro que se le con total interés, los personajes cumplen y tal y tal. Creo que es una cuestión de impresiones, de pequeños detalles, como la tontería del episodio Espartaco/Cesar, que algunos personajes no “brillan” tanto como en el primero, no sé bien.
A lo que vamos, que en esta segunda estrega vamos de la mano de Cesar o de Bruto en sus experiencias de crecimiento personal y militar desde los dieciocho hasta aproximadamente los treinta años.
Las licencias que se toma el escritor para novelar esta vida son gordas, creo. Alguna bastante gorda, pero no estoy del todo seguro.
Resumen: que si os gusta la novela histórica catéis el primero de la saga y que por adelantado ya sabéis que este segundo mantiene el interés.
Y ahora cambio de género que no quiero empacharme de romanos (además ya sabemos lo que pasó con Pompeyo, Cesar, Bruto y compañía, ¿no?) pero volveré al autor, que se lee del tirón.
No sé por qué no le cae la quinta, porque os aseguro que se le con total interés, los personajes cumplen y tal y tal. Creo que es una cuestión de impresiones, de pequeños detalles, como la tontería del episodio Espartaco/Cesar, que algunos personajes no “brillan” tanto como en el primero, no sé bien.
A lo que vamos, que en esta segunda estrega vamos de la mano de Cesar o de Bruto en sus experiencias de crecimiento personal y militar desde los dieciocho hasta aproximadamente los treinta años.
Las licencias que se toma el escritor para novelar esta vida son gordas, creo. Alguna bastante gorda, pero no estoy del todo seguro.
Resumen: que si os gusta la novela histórica catéis el primero de la saga y que por adelantado ya sabéis que este segundo mantiene el interés.
Y ahora cambio de género que no quiero empacharme de romanos (además ya sabemos lo que pasó con Pompeyo, Cesar, Bruto y compañía, ¿no?) pero volveré al autor, que se lee del tirón.
November 15, 2021
Read this book in 2005, and its the 2nd volume of the wonderful "Emperor" series.
After the turbulent days in Rome, and forced to flee from Julius Caesar is serving on a war galley to become a battle hardened leader, when a a victory that same ship is captured by pirates and held for ransom.
Abandoned on the North African coast and under very hard circumstances, he's able to gather a group of recruits to gain vengeance, and later on suppress a new uprising in Greece.
When he returns home in Rome, surrounded by many enemies, he's once again reunited with his friend Brutus and not long afterwards they are confronted with an uprising by a certain Spartacus.
What is to follow is an amazing and enthralling historical tale, in which power, loyalty, betrayal, and bravery will dictate developments in and around Rome between those in power and those looking for that same powerful life.
Highly recommended, for this is another fabulous addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Superb Emperor Sequel"!
After the turbulent days in Rome, and forced to flee from Julius Caesar is serving on a war galley to become a battle hardened leader, when a a victory that same ship is captured by pirates and held for ransom.
Abandoned on the North African coast and under very hard circumstances, he's able to gather a group of recruits to gain vengeance, and later on suppress a new uprising in Greece.
When he returns home in Rome, surrounded by many enemies, he's once again reunited with his friend Brutus and not long afterwards they are confronted with an uprising by a certain Spartacus.
What is to follow is an amazing and enthralling historical tale, in which power, loyalty, betrayal, and bravery will dictate developments in and around Rome between those in power and those looking for that same powerful life.
Highly recommended, for this is another fabulous addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Superb Emperor Sequel"!
January 10, 2026
Hope we will have a good start with this book!
Review for book 1: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rating: 4.5 stars
(1) But to be honest I have almost no memory of what had taken place in book 1...
(2) I almost forgot who Octavian is...and he is a little boy in this volume.
(3) Spartacus looks cool! He is kind of a romantic hero in this story, though he didn't show up all that much.
(4) OMG I really didn't see a certain plot twist coming, what a horrible way to punish failed soldiers. 😯
(5) The ending is quite brutal, I kinda like it too!
(6) The author admits at the after note that he changed quite a lot of major events, and I like the fact that he admits things.
Review for book 1: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rating: 4.5 stars
(1) But to be honest I have almost no memory of what had taken place in book 1...
(2) I almost forgot who Octavian is...and he is a little boy in this volume.
(3) Spartacus looks cool! He is kind of a romantic hero in this story, though he didn't show up all that much.
(4) OMG I really didn't see a certain plot twist coming, what a horrible way to punish failed soldiers. 😯
(5) The ending is quite brutal, I kinda like it too!
(6) The author admits at the after note that he changed quite a lot of major events, and I like the fact that he admits things.
July 9, 2020
I am not an historian and know little about Julius Caesar so I viewed this book much as I would view a novel. The plain fact is that I loved the book and only reluctantly put it down each evening to go to sleep. It was my seventh Conn Iggulden book, having read the series about Genghis Khan and I have loved all seven but none more than this.
Some reviewers were rather harsh in their judgement because the book deviated from accepted history in places. My belief is that all historical novels are fiction in the sense that the vast majority of the dialogue is made up by the author as is many of the small details which were too miniscule to be recorded. It seems a shame to me that many did not enjoy the book simply because it did what the author said it would - and that was to deviate from history for the sake of the novel.
Iggulden has the unique gift of making the characters and the scenes come alive through his descriptions and dialogue. The characters seem very real and the situations seem very plausible and are so well described that I couldn't help but visualize them as I read.
If you choose to read this series, by all means do it in sequence. I truly hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. For now, I will take a break from Caesar and turn to Michael Servetus as I find that I enjoy Iggulden's seres (is that the plural of series?) when I don't read the books in succession.
The End
Some reviewers were rather harsh in their judgement because the book deviated from accepted history in places. My belief is that all historical novels are fiction in the sense that the vast majority of the dialogue is made up by the author as is many of the small details which were too miniscule to be recorded. It seems a shame to me that many did not enjoy the book simply because it did what the author said it would - and that was to deviate from history for the sake of the novel.
Iggulden has the unique gift of making the characters and the scenes come alive through his descriptions and dialogue. The characters seem very real and the situations seem very plausible and are so well described that I couldn't help but visualize them as I read.
If you choose to read this series, by all means do it in sequence. I truly hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. For now, I will take a break from Caesar and turn to Michael Servetus as I find that I enjoy Iggulden's seres (is that the plural of series?) when I don't read the books in succession.
The End
September 29, 2016
I loved this book. I read some of the other reviews after I finished reading the book, and the biggest complaint seems to be summed up in two words: historical accuracy. That isn't a deal breaker for me...I liked the story....I liked the history (even if it was completely fabricated)...and I liked the characters. The tension was nice. The characters were well drawn. The writing was wonderful. It was a fun read. So 5 stars.
One small note regarding the historical accuracy....while it didn't phase me at all (I'm no history buff), I will say that if it had been about something I actually had knowledge of and love of (like Alaska), I would have been equally incensed. So, sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
One small note regarding the historical accuracy....while it didn't phase me at all (I'm no history buff), I will say that if it had been about something I actually had knowledge of and love of (like Alaska), I would have been equally incensed. So, sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
September 26, 2021
Bitterly disappointed. I’m still not sure why someone would want to write about the fascinating life of Julius Caesar, yet change events so thoroughly as to become completely unrecognisable. The treatment of Sulla, King Mithridates’ rebellion (that lasted 10 years in reality, but was dealt with by Caesar in a matter of weeks here) and the Spartacus uprising were all done a severe disservice. I understand this is historical fiction, but there is a line, and the author crossed it by a country mile.
The events covered in this instalment should really have been split into 2 books. Barely 100 pages for the Spartacus uprising, that nearly toppled Rome? With more focus on specific events, the author could really have made things interesting, giving characters room to breathe and historical incidents and their fallout designated the weight they deserve. As it is, this book feels more like a checklist, ticking off circumstances without any real depth.
I would likely call it quits here, if I’d not already bought the entire box set based off the strength of the authors ‘Conqueror’ series. Lesson learnt.
The events covered in this instalment should really have been split into 2 books. Barely 100 pages for the Spartacus uprising, that nearly toppled Rome? With more focus on specific events, the author could really have made things interesting, giving characters room to breathe and historical incidents and their fallout designated the weight they deserve. As it is, this book feels more like a checklist, ticking off circumstances without any real depth.
I would likely call it quits here, if I’d not already bought the entire box set based off the strength of the authors ‘Conqueror’ series. Lesson learnt.
September 14, 2021
Book 2 in The Empire Series, starring Julius Caesar, and I am as excited with this one as I was the first. I have put aside my harsh punishment for author's who are not historically accurate. Iggulden engages me, and keeps me turning the pages late into the night.
A lot of great battle scenes where Iggulden's writing sweeps you right onto the field. His dialogue is realistic, his characters fully matured. I loved it all!
So glad this author has a resume of series on the board, I look forward to them all.
A lot of great battle scenes where Iggulden's writing sweeps you right onto the field. His dialogue is realistic, his characters fully matured. I loved it all!
So glad this author has a resume of series on the board, I look forward to them all.
February 6, 2023
I want to give this a better rating than I gave book 1, but it just doesn't rise to a four-star book for me.
But I did enjoy it.
These are easy, leisurely reads; which is what I need right now.
No twists, nothing shocking, not exciting. Just good solid literary entertainment.
Could use more detail in the fight/battle scenes for my tastes.
But I did enjoy it.
These are easy, leisurely reads; which is what I need right now.
No twists, nothing shocking, not exciting. Just good solid literary entertainment.
Could use more detail in the fight/battle scenes for my tastes.
September 29, 2014
I was hoping for more from this book, I thought with Julius being older the story would get more interesting and the depictions of roman life and roman politics would be expanded upon. I was disappointed in this.
The story follows Julius through his capture and fight with the pirates off the African coast, Marcus returns from the army to find his mother and join in the politics of Rome while waiting the return of Julius. With the death of Sulla, Julius can return to Rome and join in the fight to protect his beloved city from the slave rebellion led by Spartacus.
The historical inaccuracies become even more glaring in this second book and while they did not particularly effect my enjoyment of the first book I found myself becoming far more annoyed with these changes. I think the life of Caesar is fascinating as it was and the changes did not make the story better, they have made it more sordid. There are changes to the lives of Sulla, Cato, Octavian, Cornelia, Pompey and Servilia; there are changes to the slave rebellion. The more changes are made, the more the end of the story will be modified. Unfortunately my interest in the series is waning and I will be taking a break from the series.
The story follows Julius through his capture and fight with the pirates off the African coast, Marcus returns from the army to find his mother and join in the politics of Rome while waiting the return of Julius. With the death of Sulla, Julius can return to Rome and join in the fight to protect his beloved city from the slave rebellion led by Spartacus.
The historical inaccuracies become even more glaring in this second book and while they did not particularly effect my enjoyment of the first book I found myself becoming far more annoyed with these changes. I think the life of Caesar is fascinating as it was and the changes did not make the story better, they have made it more sordid. There are changes to the lives of Sulla, Cato, Octavian, Cornelia, Pompey and Servilia; there are changes to the slave rebellion. The more changes are made, the more the end of the story will be modified. Unfortunately my interest in the series is waning and I will be taking a break from the series.
February 21, 2023
Amazing
Fantastic! This is a non stop rollercoaster ride through the early middle years of Caesar! We have some huge names in Roman history here, Crassus, Pompey, Spartacus and many more and the young Caesar just manoeuvring through them like a hot knife through butter! Great, great book, would highly recommend.
Fantastic! This is a non stop rollercoaster ride through the early middle years of Caesar! We have some huge names in Roman history here, Crassus, Pompey, Spartacus and many more and the young Caesar just manoeuvring through them like a hot knife through butter! Great, great book, would highly recommend.
November 26, 2025
4 Stars★★★★☆ - a fantastic sequel that surpasses the first book but also makes a few strange narrative choices
What an ending!! While this book is really great in many, many ways, I don't understand its structure. Part One is not slow, but spends considerably time on a "side quest" of sorts that wasn't as compelling as I had hoped due to Caesar's rise being more contrived than it could've been. These first 250 pages belonged to The Gates of Rome's story and would've wrapped that plot up well while Part Two should've been expanded to become the entire second book by itself. This latter half is jaw-droppingly exciting, shocking, and riveting.
The amazing quality this sequel showcases is a flawless balancing of omniscient POV usage that I truly loved and caused me care for the side characters more than the main ones. Julius and Brutus drive much of the plot but I cared for Tubruk, Alexandria, Octavian, and even Spartacus and the slave rebellion more. There is so much to unpack in this exciting sequel but I definitely think Iggulden improved on making impactful, emotional connections to characters.
I still have seriously gripes with particular elements of this series. Julius' rise doesn't feel as earned or warranted as it is. Also, the way intimate relationships occur between characters didn't work for me. Julius, Alexandria, Brutus, and Cornelia's characters all suffer from behaving inconsistently or unexplainedly within their relationships. At least the ending wrapped up at least one subplot effectively . Finally, there are a few too many occurrences of "well that resolved fast!" Many important plot points worked splendidly but then others felt like camoes or short tangents than significant narrative beats used purposefully.
Overall, this book ends at an all-time high despite Caesar's rise still being more told than shown. This series is BRUTAL but feels very well-realized and consistent with Roman life, thinking, and historical accuracy. This book surpasses Gates of Rome in nearly every way almost exclusively due to Part Two. I cannot wait for The Field of Swords.
What an ending!! While this book is really great in many, many ways, I don't understand its structure. Part One is not slow, but spends considerably time on a "side quest" of sorts that wasn't as compelling as I had hoped due to Caesar's rise being more contrived than it could've been. These first 250 pages belonged to The Gates of Rome's story and would've wrapped that plot up well while Part Two should've been expanded to become the entire second book by itself. This latter half is jaw-droppingly exciting, shocking, and riveting.
The amazing quality this sequel showcases is a flawless balancing of omniscient POV usage that I truly loved and caused me care for the side characters more than the main ones. Julius and Brutus drive much of the plot but I cared for Tubruk, Alexandria, Octavian, and even Spartacus and the slave rebellion more. There is so much to unpack in this exciting sequel but I definitely think Iggulden improved on making impactful, emotional connections to characters.
I still have seriously gripes with particular elements of this series. Julius' rise doesn't feel as earned or warranted as it is. Also, the way intimate relationships occur between characters didn't work for me. Julius, Alexandria, Brutus, and Cornelia's characters all suffer from behaving inconsistently or unexplainedly within their relationships. At least the ending wrapped up at least one subplot effectively . Finally, there are a few too many occurrences of "well that resolved fast!" Many important plot points worked splendidly but then others felt like camoes or short tangents than significant narrative beats used purposefully.
Overall, this book ends at an all-time high despite Caesar's rise still being more told than shown. This series is BRUTAL but feels very well-realized and consistent with Roman life, thinking, and historical accuracy. This book surpasses Gates of Rome in nearly every way almost exclusively due to Part Two. I cannot wait for The Field of Swords.
May 19, 2010
This is the second in a series about julius ceasar. I'd read the first a couple years ago, and stuck the next one on my reading list and forgot about it. The book arrived, and I started to read it, and it seemed slow. But then it quickly picked up and was great! I had forgotten how much I like this author, and I think that the second book was even better than what I remember of the first. Sure, there are some historical innacuracies (which the author even admits and lists a few of the bigger ones at the end of the book) but overall it creates an interesting picture of roman life. It's not supposed to be a textbook. Its historical fiction. The characters were all really engaging and people I'd like to know. I could relate to them. There were some great battles as well. This is a great adventure story and I highly recommend it. I can't wait to read the next in the series, or his other series he has.
February 1, 2026
This is a fast-paced and exciting story set in Roman times in the First Century B.C., the second book in a series about the life of Julius Caesar. In this book he is a young man getting experience in combat. He's captured by Mediterranean pirates and later gets involved in the war against King Mithridates in present-day Turkey. Most interestingly, young Julius gets involved in the slave revolt led by Spartacus. Of course, he's fighting on the side against the rebellious slaves.
There's no doubt who's the hero of this story. Young Julius turns out to be a natural-born leader of men, who can rouse them to follow him into battle--and he seems to be protected by the gods as he seemingly can't be killed!
I think I most like this story because the author brings the world of the Romans to life. What a bunch! Great builders and administrators, they were also cruel, brutal, and corrupt.
Of course, there's no comparison that we can make to today's American society...?
There's no doubt who's the hero of this story. Young Julius turns out to be a natural-born leader of men, who can rouse them to follow him into battle--and he seems to be protected by the gods as he seemingly can't be killed!
I think I most like this story because the author brings the world of the Romans to life. What a bunch! Great builders and administrators, they were also cruel, brutal, and corrupt.
Of course, there's no comparison that we can make to today's American society...?
May 20, 2022
The Death of Kings continues Conn Iggulden’s dramatization of the life of Julius Caesar. This novel is a rollicking good read. In his afterward the author lays out some of the events he has altered to forge a better tale. Or as I have said before he does not let the facts get in the way of a good story. Terribly exciting I cannot wait for the next book!
April 9, 2022
Still enjoying the series. I like reading these books because there are constantly new characters and it is fun to look them up and see which ones have historical significance. On to the next!
September 19, 2012
A really good follow on from the first book in this (Emperor) series by Conn Iggulden. In fact, in many ways the first book served as a really good introduction with so much more action, story, and character growth in this book.
A really well written book following the growth and experiences of Gauis Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus, and many other historical figures, like Crassus and others, as well as some character embellishments for the growth of the story.
It was a gripping read and very enlightening on Caesar's growth, both as a man, a leader of men, and into the Senate.
After being gripped by the first book (Emperor #1) I'd say I actually enjoyed this book much more. I'm tempted to give this book '5 stars' as it certainly deserves '4.5 stars'.
For more info. on this series you may wish to read some of the comments.
A really well written book following the growth and experiences of Gauis Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus, and many other historical figures, like Crassus and others, as well as some character embellishments for the growth of the story.
It was a gripping read and very enlightening on Caesar's growth, both as a man, a leader of men, and into the Senate.
After being gripped by the first book (Emperor #1) I'd say I actually enjoyed this book much more. I'm tempted to give this book '5 stars' as it certainly deserves '4.5 stars'.
For more info. on this series you may wish to read some of the comments.
January 29, 2008
This book continues the Ceasar saga started in 'Gates Of Rome'. It has the same looseness with the historical facts that is bound to endlessly annoy people who care about historical facts. The story progresses through Ceasar's capture by the pirates and it continues to build Brutus as a heroic but tragic figure. The book ends with the revolt of Sparticus, again very much at odds with the historical record. If you've gotten this far, you've been sucked in by the readability of Iggulden's writing and the building rivalry between the two 'brothers'.
May 30, 2016
Συνήθως κάνω κριτική στο τέλος μιας σειράς αλλά επειδή μάλλον δεν θα φτάσω εκεί θα γράψω τώρα δυο λόγια. Είναι σημαντικό για εμένα τα ιστορικά μυθιστορήματα να είναι... ιστορικά. Στο πρώτο βιβλίο υπάρχουν αποκλίσεις από την ιστορία αλλά σε βαθμό που μπορώ να το προσπεράσω, σε αυτό, όμως, η ιστορία πάει πραγματικά περίπατο με τις αποκλίσεις να είναι τόσες πολλές και τόσο τραβηγμένες που σε βγάζουν απ' τα ρούχα σου. Οπότε μιλάμε περισσότερο για ιστορίες δράσης με μια τζούρα ιστορίας, κάτι, δηλαδή, μακριά από αυτό που αναζητώ.
April 17, 2018
I have only given this 4 stars but 4.5 wasn't an option. Like the first book this is a great read, the descriptions of the main battle are so well written. Brilliant characters, great story, fast paced. Loved it. Reading the third now. Rome and her history is fascinating, I plan to read more factual based books on the history of the Roman Empire as a direct result of the first 2 books of this series I have read.
Also, I would be very surprised if Julius Caesar wasn't in the thick of the fighting against Spartacus.
Also, I would be very surprised if Julius Caesar wasn't in the thick of the fighting against Spartacus.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2016
Bello bello bello.
Anche questa serie io l'ho cominciata con il secondo volume #yeah, ma Iggulden scrive benissimo e non ho fatto nessuna difficoltà ad entrare in sintonia e personaggi. Mi sono ritrovata a divorare pagine e capitoli, ad un certo punto volevo solo sapere e non facevo più caso ai fatti storici, alla loro veridicità...
Devo recuperari i volumi mancanti. SUBITO!
Anche questa serie io l'ho cominciata con il secondo volume #yeah, ma Iggulden scrive benissimo e non ho fatto nessuna difficoltà ad entrare in sintonia e personaggi. Mi sono ritrovata a divorare pagine e capitoli, ad un certo punto volevo solo sapere e non facevo più caso ai fatti storici, alla loro veridicità...
Devo recuperari i volumi mancanti. SUBITO!
April 12, 2024
Колко се променя вкуса на човек към всичко с възрастта... Преди се радвах на тия книги и даже ги имам на хартия, сега не можах да дочета втората, защото ми се струва елементарно написана и пълна с глупости...
February 9, 2025
I found this better than the first one. More action, more political intrigue and in general a better feel of the city of Rome and its way of life. It's well written and interesting.
Once more though I struggled to get over the many historical inaccuracies and the liberties that Iggulden takes to create some moments that might add some excitement to the story, not always worked for me.
I believe that if the story followed a made up person and not Caesar himself, it could have worked far better as a historical adventure novel with the emphasis on the adventure aspect. But as a story of Caesar's life it feels unnecessary and lacking.
Still a good book though and worth continuing with the series.
7/10
Once more though I struggled to get over the many historical inaccuracies and the liberties that Iggulden takes to create some moments that might add some excitement to the story, not always worked for me.
I believe that if the story followed a made up person and not Caesar himself, it could have worked far better as a historical adventure novel with the emphasis on the adventure aspect. But as a story of Caesar's life it feels unnecessary and lacking.
Still a good book though and worth continuing with the series.
7/10
March 24, 2023
I kinda feel like if Julius were alive now, he’d be really simped after.
April 6, 2026
Really nice light reading. This was engaging and often hard to put down. That said it seems that was at the expense of historical accuracy in some pretty big ways. Wouldn’t read this to learn about the life of Caesar but definitely enjoyable if you are just here for a good story.
January 8, 2024
It was interesting, but a bit bland. I guess I shouldn't have googled Caesar while reading, not for fear of spoilers or whatever (just a couple of thousands of years late for that) but because I kept comparing info and noting discrepancies.
April 6, 2025
It might not be historically accurate but it’s an entertaining read
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