Anthony & Cleopatra

I blogged a bit over three years ago about the superb “Masters of Rome” series by Colleen McCullough.  It is a fantastic series and is largely responsible for my interest in the old Roman Republic (which was far better than the Empire).

I’m surprised by how many other people have commented to me on how influential that series was to them.  It’s factual accuracy is almost unparalleled.  In fact it partly spoils other historical fiction from that era, as they are almost always less accurate.

She ended the series of six with the October Horse concluding at the Battle of Philippi which saw Octavian and Mark Anthony triumph over Brutus and Cassius – thus marking the end of the Republic in her eyes.

I always wanted her to do a further book, and it seems so have many other people – because she has.  I had no idea she was even working on a 7th book until I saw it for sale at Dymocks at the weekend.  Since then I have been making my way in my spare time.  It is very much up to her normal standard and is called Anthony & Cleopatra.

The book covers the years from the Battle of Philippi to the final confrontation between Octavian and Mark Anthony, with the victorious Octavian becoming Augustus – the first Roman Emperor (in practice, but not title).

The Masters of Rome series tends to appeal to fans of politics.  It’s a great mixture of politics, war, and law with some larger than life characters.  Fans of the series include Bob Carr, Henry Kissinger and Newt Gingrich.

So if you need a good Christmas present for a friend who enjoys politics – try buying them The First Man in Rome.  And if they already have the series, let them know that finally there is the seventh book, and they’ll be running down to the bookstore to buy it.