Emperor: The Gates of Rome

Rating:
Summary: It's not history, but it is page-turning fiction
Review: This is the first book in Conn Iggulden's series on the life and times of Julius Caesar. For the lover of a good adventure yarn, it's an excellent page turner. For those interested in the way books (and films) are marketed, it's a lesson in the classics.

Iggulden adopts an interesting ploy here. He concludes his novel with a brief historical note, pointing out that he has employed a degree of licence in rewriting history to suit the needs of his plot. It's a brave move. I can remember the first time I watched a film called 'Picnic at Hanging Rock': I was absolutely entranced ... but badly disappointed when I discovered that it was pure fiction, that it wasn't based on fact. I'd wanted the mystery to remain, giving me a puzzle I could contemplate at leisure.

Conn Iggulden doesn't risk this sort of disappointment by revealing that his work contains historical flaws. By writing a piece of fiction based on Caesar's life, he knows he will have criticism levelled at him by classical scholars. The fact is, even if he had stuck rigidly to what we know of history, his writing would still have been fiction, for he would still have had to speculate on what the actors in the plot were thinking. Iggulden is writing fiction, a saga set against an historical background; he is not writing biography or historical analysis, and I think it's legitimate he explains this. So he manipulates history to suit his plot - at least he's open about this ... if a bit cynical, for a wee bit of controversy might just be good publicity.

So, how does "The Gates of Rome" work as a piece of fiction? In fact, quite well. This is not a particularly sophisticated novel - it reads very easily, it is a well-paced page turner which will engage and entertain, and it makes no pretence at being 'great' literature. It is, quite simply, a thoroughly good read - and if you have a long flight or train journey, or know you have a long wait somewhere, this is first-rate escapist fantasy. If you enjoy a good adventure yarn with an historical setting, this will enthral you.

Iggulden follows the early life of Gaius Julius Caesar, from his first lessons in the cruelties of the world - being bullied by a bigger lad from a neighbouring farm - to his adolescence and early introduction to warfare.

Young Gaius is the son of a wealthy and politically significant father. He is also the nephew of a rich and politically very powerful uncle, the general Marius. He is to be raised to take his place in the top echelons of Roman society - his father engages teachers whose gruelling regime will educate his mind, train his body, and condition him to leadership in military and political life.

But, as Gaius grows, he appreciates that his family has powerful enemies. He might dream of triumph and glory, might dally with hopes of sexual conquests, but his life is first and foremost going to be a struggle for survival. Rome is at the centre of a world where life is cheap ... and the richer and more powerful you are, the more likely that someone will want you dead.

Iggulden's writing can be a bit one dimensional in places - this is not an in-depth psychological study of the boy who would become Emperor. Gaius is the hero of an adventure saga, and your sympathies as a reader are with him and his supporting cast. The narrative sweeps you up and carries you along. You have to suspend your disbelief - this is definitely not history - but it is a very good read.

The novel concludes with a taster of the second volume in the series ("The Death of Kings") - you get to read its first chapter. As I said, it's a classic exercise in marketing. Iggulden and the publishers want you to like Caesar, want you to be caught up in the plot, and want you to buy the next volumes. If you've enjoyed "The Gates of Rome", you probably will.


Rating:
Summary: Long on fiction, short on history.
Review: The fact that Iggulden's work is more fiction than it is history did not bother me nearly as much as it apparently did some other reviewers here. I was not expecting anything more than some light entertainment when I first started the book and to that extent, the story does not disappoint. Those looking for a more in-depth treatment and detailed history of Republican Rome will need to search elsewhere.

Although the story starts out somewhat slowly and meanders for about a 100 pages or so, it stills remains engaging enough to maintain the interest of the reader. The tale primarily focuses on two adolescent friends, Gaius and Marcus, but gradually introduces a wide range of diverse characters. The plot picks up some steam when the boys leave behind the country estate of Gaius' father and travel to Rome where they quickly become embroiled in the machinations of two power hungry consuls. The cast of characters increases at this point and while many of these new additions are somewhat stock and predictable, the sheer number of players lends some excitement and uncertainty to the story. The tale probably would have benefitted from more battle scenes and/or a more detailed look at what day-to-day life in the legions was like. Those few battle scenes and depictions of army life which are included are gripping and highly entertaining.

As noted above and pointed out by some other reviewers here, Emperor will never be mistaken for a serious work of true historical fiction. In order to create conflict and advance the story line, Iggulden takes frequent liberties and poetic license is very much the order of the day. Nonetheless, Emperor still manages to offer an engaging story that should entertain most casual afficionados of ancient Rome. I only wish that some of the reviewers here would have resisted the temptation to reveal some of the twists and surprises contained in Iggulden's tale.

Rating:
Summary: Horray for Colleen McCullough!
Review: I totally agree with Mr McInerney's evaluation of 'Emperor : The Gates of Rome'. Mr Iggulden's sense of humour surely reaches a climax with the inclusion of a 'historical note'! He can't be serious. As an action story it may have its merits, but to pretend it follows the life of one of the ancient world's great figures is pure fantasy.I have a sinking feeling that this may be made into a movie! It does the memory of Julius Ceasar and all the other historical characters a diservice.


Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This is one of the best books I have read in some time. It is hard to believe that it is by a first time novelist.

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant display of Julius Caesar.
Review: This book has a very good plot. The way he develops the characters of Gaius and Marcus are stupendous. No one really knows a lot about the childhood of Julius Caesar and this is a very good interpretation of what it would be like.

Conn Iggulden spices things up a bit by adding in different characters that help the plot go. The story is filled with action. I am truly impressed with the way that he delivered the whole book.
A great read.

Rating:
Summary: Great start for the series and author.
Review: I honestly didn't know that this was Iggulden's first book until I finished reading the book and read the about the author in the back. This book is great because it is fun and entertaining. I read it in a day. I just didn't want to stop, I always wanted to know what was going to happen next.

It is kinda obvious that the book is about Julius Ceasar, but it will be a great shock when you find out who Marcus is. After reading that, you'll want to finish the series right then and there. I can't wait to see how Iggulden will finish the series.

The book's main charcters are Marcus and Gauis who are best friends, almost brothers. They live with Gauis' dad who is a senator in Rome. Marcus' mother was a whore, and his dad is unknown. This story focuses on their relationship and how they have to go opposite ways because of who they are. Marcus goes into the army, and Gauis ends up with his Uncle Marius, a general, after his dad dies.

The book is very well written. Characters are well described, and their actions reinforce their described traits. Environments are described in depth and make them easy to visualize. I really don't have any complaints about the book, it is a fun read.

Just a warning to history buffs expecting an accurate telling of the story. This isn't it. If you're looking for that, shouldn't you be looking at a history book?

Rating:
Summary: A 'Must-Read' for any Form of Reader
Review: This is one of my favorite books of all time.
The mystery of what is come next pushes you to take some long nights reading the exploits of the children Gaius and Marcus. You watch how, through relatively small accomplishments as the child (and in Marcus's case, the slave) of an honest and, thereby, only middle-class senator, they build up their self-esteems to become the great and feared men we know they will become. A certain sadness of knowledge accompanies knowing what is to come when you read, and your feelings will conflict as the two best friends share good and hard (terribly hard) times.
I recommend this book to absolutely anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Take on Young Caesar & Brutus; A Bit Thin
Review: Conn Iggulden's "Emperor: The Gates of Rome," is a good, light take on the formative years of Julius Caesar and his childhood friend (and ultimate nemesis) Marcus Brutus. An attempt to shield the identity of these two lead characters fizzles after a few chapters . . . it's hard to preserve the secret when two of history's major players are involved!

Initially, "Gaius" and "Marcus" are two children, bullied by the stronger kids and desperate to prove the strength that they know lies within. Soon, they get their chance as Gaius' father, who has virtually adopted the young Marcus, hires the notorious ex-gladiator Renius to train the boys. Like many authors, Iggulden gives us "training" scenes that appear to be little more than abuse, but it's abuse handed out with a purpose and a heart of gold.

Eventually, through some personal triumphs and tragedies, Gaius and Marcus arrive in Rome, just in time to take part in the civil war between Rome's two leading generals, Marius and Sulla. The book comes alive, to the extent it does, in this section -- Marcus is quickly consigned to the legions in Macedonia to fight barbarians, and while he has some daring exploits, his actions on the frontier are of little consequence in comparison to the role Gaius gets to play. A relative of Marius, Gaius takes Marius' side in the civil war but seems to pay more attention to rolling in the sack than to the politics involved.

The civil war between Marius and Sulla receives only a sketchy treatment here . . . one of the great weaknesses of "Emperor: The Gates of Rome" is that is follows a majestic treatment of virtually the same issue (the rise of Julius Caesar and the fall of the Roman Republic) -- Colleen McCullouch's "Masters of Rome" series. This is not to say that Iggulden's effort is poor -- but his work is thin compared to McCullough's exhaustively researched epic -- which is admittedly much longer and a more intense read.

Where McCullough uses two novels, "The First Man in Rome" and "The Grass Crown" to build Marius and Sulla and relate the horrors of the war fought between these allies-turned foes, Iggulden uses a few chapters. It just can't compare.

Iggulden also reduces the import of his story (in Caesar, after all, he is writing about one of history's titanic characters, one whose life needs little embellishing) by creating a sidekick for Caesar who has mystical powers of foresight and healing. This element of the magical does not fit with Caesar's rise to power or the fall of the Roman republic, and the general silliness of the idea undermines the story.

If you aren't that familiar with Caesar, this book is probably fine for a start. However, the biography Iggulden recommends in the author's notes, Christian Meier's "Caesar," is more riveting, and one cannot forget that Iggulden is walking in Colleen McCullouch's rather large footsteps, and he does not erase hers.