Kadomi reviewed The First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough
Review of 'The First Man in Rome' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Many years ago I read some individual books of this series and it's been my goal ever since to read them from start to finish. And that's what I am going to do now! The First Man in Rome is the first book in the series, and describes the life of Gaius Marius who rises to great fame in the Republic of Rome in the late 100s B.C. A so-called New Man, Marius is not one of the patricians and comes from the country-side. Extremely rich, he doesn't have the clout to stand as consul, the highest position of the Roman Republic. Not until Gaius Julius Caesar, the patriarch of a noble yet poor family approaches him to offer his daughter Julia in marriage. Along with Marius' history we also learn about Lucius Cornelius Sulla, another poor patrician who has the ambition to be in the senate, but not the …
Many years ago I read some individual books of this series and it's been my goal ever since to read them from start to finish. And that's what I am going to do now! The First Man in Rome is the first book in the series, and describes the life of Gaius Marius who rises to great fame in the Republic of Rome in the late 100s B.C. A so-called New Man, Marius is not one of the patricians and comes from the country-side. Extremely rich, he doesn't have the clout to stand as consul, the highest position of the Roman Republic. Not until Gaius Julius Caesar, the patriarch of a noble yet poor family approaches him to offer his daughter Julia in marriage. Along with Marius' history we also learn about Lucius Cornelius Sulla, another poor patrician who has the ambition to be in the senate, but not the funds. Infamous for his debauchery, he turns out to be rather ruthless in his pursuit of his political goals, and rises at the side of Gaius Marius.
It's a fascinating account of Roman history, which might make some people shy away because it is very full of Latin terms and practices that are only explained in the lengthy glossary. I thought it was very intelligently written, and am eager to read more.
