Masters of Rome: Difference between revisions

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Set in [[Ancient Rome]] (between 110 BC and 27 BC) this epic seven book series covers the fall of the Roman Republic and ends with the rise of Octavian (later known as [[Emperor Augustus|Caesar Augustus]]). Noted for their intricate research of Roman life and McCullough's use of [[Deliberate Values Dissonance]] with even clearly sympathetic characters. Also sex, quite a lot of it.

While there are hundreds if not thousands of named characters in these books, broadly speaking several major if unrelated story arcs stand out. The first two books are dominated by the friendship and later rivalry between brilliant general [[Self Made Man|Gauis Marius]] and the icy but brilliant aristocratic [[Impoverished Patrician|Lucius Cornelius Sulla]] while most of the later works focus on the careers and lives of Pompey, Crassus, Cicero, Cato, Octavian and Mark Antony and above all [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] whose pivotal life makes him the central character of the whole story.

While there are hundreds if not thousands of named characters in these books, broadly speaking several major if unrelated story arcs stand out. The first two books are dominated by the friendship and later rivalry between brilliant general [[Self-Made Man|Gauis Marius]] and the icy but brilliant aristocratic [[Impoverished Patrician|Lucius Cornelius Sulla]] while most of the later works focus on the careers and lives of Pompey, Crassus, Cicero, Cato, Octavian and Mark Antony and above all [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] whose pivotal life makes him the central character of the whole story.

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* [[Revenge Before Reason]] (Octavian. After the assassains of Caesar have already been defeated ad killed he is sufficently murderous to have Cato's (totally harmless) best friend killed for the 'crime' of being friends with Caesar's old enemy).

* [[The Roman Republic]]

* [[Self Made Man]] (Marius, and in a very diffent manner, Cicero)

* [[Self-Made Man]] (Marius, and in a very diffent manner, Cicero)

* [[Two Lines No Waiting]] (Due to [[Loads and Loads of Characters]] and [[Doorstopper|Loads And Loads Of Pages]] all the books have multiple interweaving storylines)

* [[Two Lines, No Waiting]] (Due to [[Loads and Loads of Characters]] and [[Doorstopper|Loads And Loads Of Pages]] all the books have multiple interweaving storylines)

* [[Villain Protagonist]] (Sulla)

* [[Villain With Good Publicity]] (Octavian is beloved by legionaries because of his charm and resemblance to Caesar and also enchants Cicero amongst others; he is also hideously cold blooded about killing or ruining anyone who gets in his way or tarnishes the legacy of his beloved adopted father.)

** ("Beloved" because Octavian was using his adopted father's good publicity to promote his own political career in the eyes of the Romans. Anything that would slander Caesar would slander Octavian, as the latter tried to rub himselt with as much Caesarian clout he could think of. Including deifying Caesar and having people call him Divi Filius - [[Does This Remind You of Anything|Son of God]]).

** ("Beloved" because Octavian was using his adopted father's good publicity to promote his own political career in the eyes of the Romans. Anything that would slander Caesar would slander Octavian, as the latter tried to rub himselt with as much Caesarian clout he could think of. Including deifying Caesar and having people call him Divi Filius - [[Does This Remind You of Anything?|Son of God]]).

* [[Wild Card]] (The oily, yet strangely likable Lucius Marcius Philippus, Rome's most honestly corrupt politician - that is to say anyone can buy him but he stays bought.)

** His father/grandfather, also Lucius Marcius Philippus is bribed by Marius in the first book, and offers his service for life. He later becomes a political enemy of Marius, which costs him the consulship when Rutilius Rufus points out he should be bound by his bribe a decade previously. Though this might be the same Philippus mentioned above. Most families have only one character kept through the generations.