This is the first book in a spin-off series from the Falco series. Flavia Albia is the adopted daughter of Falco and is following in his footsteps as This is the first book in a spin-off series from the Falco series. Flavia Albia is the adopted daughter of Falco and is following in his footsteps as an investigator. It's an unusual story, with people poisoned by being stuck with needles, based on historical events. Interesting characters and an interesting story, but I like Marilyn Todd's Claudia better as a female PI....more
This novel covers the last part of Cicero's life, as described by his secretary Tiro, beginning with his exile from Rome, caused by Clodius. Cicero isThis novel covers the last part of Cicero's life, as described by his secretary Tiro, beginning with his exile from Rome, caused by Clodius. Cicero is pretty much out of politics, which have been more or less taken over by Caesar, Pompey and Crassus. We see the events from Cicero's POV, with Tiro sometimes being in exactly the right place to see what happened, such as Milo's killing of Clodius on the Appian Way. It's sort of a third-hand view of history, with Tiro telling us what Cicero thinks, being on the sidelines. ...more
The author takes us on a tour of Britain in 130 BCE with the newly appointed governor Sextus Julius Severus. He visits many towns and forts, includingThe author takes us on a tour of Britain in 130 BCE with the newly appointed governor Sextus Julius Severus. He visits many towns and forts, including Londinium and Bath, ending at Hadrian's wall. There's a lot of detail here, and the final chapter describes the various museums and exhibits that one can visit today. On the one hand, it was really interesting, but on the other hand, it was kind of boring. There wasn't much about the people on the trip or in the towns. It would be a great book to take on a tour of England, though....more
Marc Antony is dictating his memoir to his secretary Critias, starting with Caesar's assassination. Most of the book is in Antony's voice, but CritiasMarc Antony is dictating his memoir to his secretary Critias, starting with Caesar's assassination. Most of the book is in Antony's voice, but Critias inserts comments of his own throughout. He's fond of his master and doesn't much care for Cleopatra or Octavian. This is an interesting way of viewing these important events, through Antony's death, in which Antony comes off almost blameless....more
This is the story of four female cousins of the gens Claudia during the Year of Four Emperors. The eldest, Claudia Prima, is married to Piso, who may This is the story of four female cousins of the gens Claudia during the Year of Four Emperors. The eldest, Claudia Prima, is married to Piso, who may be declared the successor to Emperor Galba. Marcella, her younger sister, is married to an imperial functionary who's never in Rome, so they don't have a house and she has to live with her brother and his shrew of a wife, but she keeps busy writing a history of current times. Lollia is a gadabout who's been married numerous times. And Diana only lives to be with horses and go to the races. Each one is fleshed out really well, all are different from each other, and we learn about the turmoil of this year through their eyes....more
This is a novel written in seven separate chapters by seven authors about the revolt in ancient Britain against the Romans by Boudica. Only one of theThis is a novel written in seven separate chapters by seven authors about the revolt in ancient Britain against the Romans by Boudica. Only one of the parts is from the viewpoint of a Roman, the young legate Agricola (a real person). The others are various Britons, some real and some fictional. The parts all fit together really well and you get to know how these people lived. There is a huge amount of killing, but it did really happen....more
This is a history of Rome from its beginning with Romulus and Remus through the granting of universal citizenship by Caracalla in 212 CE. Rather than This is a history of Rome from its beginning with Romulus and Remus through the granting of universal citizenship by Caracalla in 212 CE. Rather than starting at the beginning, Beard starts with Cicero's consulship in 63 BCE and Catilina's plot to overthrow the government. She says this is because of the extraordinary amount of contemporary documentation of what was going on then, from letters, speeches and other writings. She then goes back to the beginning, for which we have no documentation, aside from what later Romans said about it. She does bring in lots of archaeological data, which was quite interesting. I was put off a bit by the non-linear timeline, but overall it was an enjoyable read....more
This was a pretty interesting book, and I liked how Holland mixed reporting on historical events with local color, like describing Marius' villa in ChThis was a pretty interesting book, and I liked how Holland mixed reporting on historical events with local color, like describing Marius' villa in Chapter 3. But I was seriously disappointed that he didn't talk about Marius' rather radical changes in the army. By taking in non-property owners (the "head count"), and having the state give them equipment, he in essence transferred their loyalties from the Roman state to their general. Marius, Sulla, Pompey and Caesar were able to use this to their individual advantage and hastened the downfall of the Republic. Also, he skipped over some of the details in several events, which caused some confusion about what happened, particularly with the formation of the Second Triumvirate. All in all, I prefer a more straightforward history without the frills....more
I didn't really care for this one, and didn't even finish it. I guess it's the "noir" tone that got to me. I also don't like the Falco series and DaviI didn't really care for this one, and didn't even finish it. I guess it's the "noir" tone that got to me. I also don't like the Falco series and David Wishart's Corvinus series irritates me a bit. They all seem too modern in tone to me. I love Steven Saylor and John Maddox Roberts, and like Rosemary Rowe and Ruth Downie quite a bit. They all seem to write in an appropriate Roman manner.
ETA: I tried this one a second time and it grabbed me more this time so I finished it. Agricola is involved and he's always interesting. Also there's a good bit about Mithraism. The romantic stuff is a bit too pronounced for my taste, but chacun a son gout....more
This is the second in the Masters of Rome series, covering the period from 99 BC to 86 BC. In the main, it's the story of the rise of Sulla and the evThis is the second in the Masters of Rome series, covering the period from 99 BC to 86 BC. In the main, it's the story of the rise of Sulla and the eventual fall of Marius. Some truly awful things happened in this period - the Social War between Rome and the Italians, Mithridates' having all Romans and Italians living in Asia Minor killed on the same day, Sulla's legions marching on Rome, and Marius running amok once he regains power. McCullough lays it all out in exquisite detail, letting us get to know so many fascinating characters....more
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