Caesar's Women (Masters of Rome, #4) by Colleen McCullough

Caesar's Women (Masters of Rome, #4) Reviews

• 
  LeAnn

  In Caesar's Women, McCullough finally hits her storytelling stride. Caesar really comes to life, and what a life that is. McCullough is a sympathetic biographer who persuasively fills in the historical outline for Caesar's political career in the fourth novel in her Masters of Rome series, covering roughly ten years. The novel reflects the important women in his life, his mother Aurelia, his daughter Julia, and his mistress Servilia, with minor roles played by his last two wives Pomponia and Calpurnia. The title also alludes to Caesar's prolific female conquests, which McCullough imagines came about due to a marriage between Caesar's strong sexual appeal to women of all classes and his political need to take his rivals down a notch (as well as to prove that he wasn't gay, which was whispered by his envious rivals to a homophobic Roman society).
  
  McCullough admits in her author's note that this novel has the richest historical source material, thereby being much covered by modern writers but also allowing her to detail the patrician Roman woman's life better. It's rather telling that McCullough has convinced this modern woman, who disdains powerful philanderers and suspects sexual psychopathy in individuals who hurt others through repeated casual use, that Caesar not only cared for the women in his life, but that they fully accepted who and what he was. Roman wives of the pre-Christian era expected their husbands to be incontinent; sex was a male bodily hunger that had little to do with marriage. Moreover, marriage was a legal relationship that didn't require fidelity on the man's part.
  
  Besides showing Caesar's domestic relationships, which underpin his political life, McCullough weaves a story of his increasingly hostile interactions with the boni, a group of ultra-conservative Senators who oppose anything Caesar does out of personal animosity. Caesar intends to be the First Man in Rome, to enlarge his personal dignitas until it is synonymous with Rome's, but he wants to make Rome greater in doing so. The boni, however, are quite determined to prevent any man from being greater than his peers. They simultaneously acknowledge Caesar's greater ability while insisting that he can't be greater than they are. They fear that he will make himself a king.
  
  For modern political junkies, reading the ever-increasing dysfunction of the Roman Republic's last days is quite eye-opening. Roman government grinds to a standstill as powerful Senators maneuver to block one another, or bribe electors and jurists, or interpret law to suit their exigencies, or manipulate legal calendars to take advantage of magistrates' short terms in office. Caesar, while a catalyst for some of the filibustering and gridlock, is also capable of cutting the Gordian knot and ruling with a firm, brilliant hand. Although it takes years, decades even, to bring Caesar to his breaking point, McCullough painstakingly lays the groundwork for his famous ride over the Rubicon and his eventual assassination by his implacable, envious enemies.
  
• 
  Ahmad Sharabiani

  Caesar's Women (Masters of Rome #4), Colleen McCullough
• 
  Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer

  Fourth in the “Masters of Rome” series, this book has two main themes:
  
  The first is the rise of Caesar, which McCullough portrays (as the title advertises) from the point of view of the women in his life: particularly his influential and independent mother Aurelia (the one person Sulla regarded as an equal); his torrid affair with the ruthless Servilla (half-sister of Cato and mother of Brutus); his devotion to his daughter Julia, initially betrothed to Brutus but then married to Pompey in a love and political match, as well as the Vestal Virgins for whom he takes responsibility after being elected Pontifex Maximus. Interestingly Caesar’s two wives during this period are barely mentioned except in terms of the divorce of the first (following Clodius’s gatecrashing of a female religious ceremony at Caesar’s house meaning she was no longer “above suspicion”) and the marriage of the second (purely for expedient political purposes on behalf of the Triumvirate). We also get an excellent perspective on his money issues and his desperate attempts to continually stave off his creditors (and possible Senate disqualification), which he achieves by his religious appointment, his Praetorship in Spain and then at the end of the story by attempting to secure Gaul as a pro-consular Province.
  
  The second is the growing battle between the conservative faction in the Senate – personified by the traditionalist, sanctimonious Cato – who aim to maintain the republican status quo, and the three “tall poppies” Pompey (hugely rich, possessed of an enormous army but unable to gain the acceptance and approval of the Roman Patricians), Crassus (the business man and ex-soldier) and Caesar (with Sulla’s drive, Marius’s popularity and with an unimpeachable pedigree – who Cato in particular sees only lacks an army to be an even greater danger than Sulla).
  
  There are two key consular years: that of Cicero when faced with what he sees as a huge conspiracy involving Cataline (and later portrays as one of the greatest ever threats to the history of Rome) invokes emergency powers and orders the immediate execution without trial of a number of the key conspirators; that of Caesar which he runs more as a legislating, populist Tribune of the Plebs than a traditional patrician, despite the attempts of the conservative faction to stop him (including the attempts of his fellow Consul and enemy since he first served in the army Bibulus to declare the whole consul year invalid due to inauspicious omens) with the balance being shifted by the agreement reached before the year-end and broked by Caesar for he, Pompey and Crassus to form an expedient Triumvirate. The author’s clear bias towards the Great Men rather than the conservative faction comes out more clearly in this book of the series – with the implicit and sometimes explicit assumption that their conservatism is due to their being weaker than the Great Men.
  
  Another excellent book in this series.
• 
  Emily

  The title may make this book sound like a romance novel of the Roman Empire, but it's well beyond any such thing (though does include a few rather well scripted sex scenes involving good ol' Caesar). Written with a savant-like skill for detail and period-appropriate descriptions and backed up with impeccable research, "Caesar's Women" is the story fo the rise of Julius Caesar and the women who are a part of his life as his star brightens. Although the book sometimes lacked readability due to its dense recounts of Senate verdicts or the sparring of the various Catoes and Luciuses, overall it transported me to a place that fascinates me and gave me a thorough and believable image of a man who does the same. McCullough could do with some more flower in her writing- more adjectives and less antiquated terms- but I'd take her books over pretty, fluffy ones any day.
• 
  Deborah Pickstone

  Can you call this series a modern classic? Well, I just did, so there it is. After abandoning it as awful at the time of publication, I remain spellbound at this 4th book of the eventual 7. The style is odd and sometimes clunky - but I don't care! I never thought I could be so hooked on the story of Rome, which was never a favourite historical period of mine. I am also consistently awed by the breadth of CM's mind and obvious brainpower as she hooks it all together. An astonishing achievement. I keep going off to check facts and dates and haven't caught her in any major dilemma yet.....
• 
  Steve R

  This 1996 novelization of Caesar’s political career in Rome spans a ten year period from 68 to 58 B.C., during which he made significant strides in amassing power within the oligarchical rule of the Senate which existed during the waning years of the Republic. When people think of Caesar, they think of his assassination first, then of his military triumphs and then only pay scant regard to his career as a politician, navigating the curious ins and outs of the Senate, the Consulship, the curule aedileship, the formation of the first triumvirate and his election as Pontifex Maximus. What they totally ignore is his subtle work as a social reformer, who wished to settle the glaring inequities of wealth distribution, land ownership and the provision of Roman citizenship. Even McCullough’s broadly sympathetic retelling of the story of these years largely fails in this regard.
  
  She does spend a lot of time on his two wives, Pompeia and Calpurnia, the political strategy behind his marrying his daughter Julia to Pompey and his long-standing affair with Servilia. Admittedly, these political/romantic affairs are relatively more engaging than the thorny issues of breaking of the power of the oligarchs over land and government, but Michael Parenti’s The Assassination of Julius Caesar really changed my way of looking at this most interesting (except for maybe Sulla and Marius) of all Roman historical figures.
  
  As always, written in a very flowing style which is as engaging in narrative as it is easy to read. McCullough certainly did her homework and showed her facility as a writer in all seven of her novels in this series.
  
  Highly recommended.
• 
  GeekChick

  I could barely stomach what little I read of this book. I was very excited, because I found this one right as I was discovering historical fiction for the first time. I was sorely let down. Repeated references to various women as "juicy" was so low-brow, I felt like I was reading a trashy romance novel. I kept the book around, thinking I might pick it back up, but after several years I just got rid of it. Why waste time when there are so many quality tomes out there?
  
• 
  Vicki Cline

  My favorite of the Masters of Rome series. I really like the portrayal of domestic life and the politics in Rome. Caesar is portrayed as nearly perfect, and although I admire him a lot, it's a bit hard to believe he was this flawless. The various women of the title are quite interesting. We've met his mother Aurelia in the previous books in the series and get to know her a little better. She appears to be the one person he confides in, not really having any male friends of his own class. We also get to watch his daughter Julia grow up and become politically useful to him. Once he's elected Pontifex Maximus, he has the six Vestal Virgins to watch over, and does a really good job of it. Finally, there's his mistress Servilia, Cato the Younger's half-sister, whom he doesn't really love, but can't seem to give up. The book ends with his leaving Rome for his extended campaigns in Gaul.
• 
  Olethros

  -Con todos ustedes…¡el preferido de McCullough!.-
  
  Género. Novela histórica.
  
  Lo que nos cuenta. Pompeyo es el primer hombre de Roma en este momento pero su carácter ha evolucionado y ahora se siente por encima del Senado merced a su gran visión de sí mismo y de su alianza política con el exitoso Craso y el fascinante Cayo Julio César, un joven este último que demuestra toda clase de recursos en su camino, lento pero inexorablemente seguro a pesar de los obstáculos, hacia la cima. Cuarto volumen de la serie Señores de Roma.
  
  ¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers?
  
  Visite:
  
  
  http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com....
• 
  Simon Mee

  "I am going to go as far as I have to go to become the First Man in Rome for as long as I live! And after I die, I will be called the greatest Roman who ever lived!"
  
  I am not sure if I am a Ravenclaw or a Hufflepuff. I am only vaguely Team Jacob. But I have absolute, utterly unshakeable, faith that you will not read a better series than the Masters of Rome:
  
  Cicero, however, had the last word. "Incest," he said gravely to a large crowd of Forum frequenters, "is a game the whole family can play."
  
  I stand by it.
  
  So what the fourth book in Masters of Rome about? Colleen McCullough’s love for one Gaius Julius Caesar.
  
  "Because he's too tall, too handsome, too successful with the women, and too arrogant by far"
  
  Caesar is going to make it to the top of Roman politics while hiding a pilum under his toga. He needs money, he needs allies, and he needs to humiliate his opposition, whether by insults:
  
  "You wouldn't be able to see over the heads of your military escort, though I suppose you could draft dwarves."
  
  or by sleeping with their wives. Anyway, McCullough makes it very clear that Caesar’s great, finding ways for him to escape opponents, creditors and dead bedrooms:
  
  “I’d rather masturbate!” he said savagely.
  
  …and it drives the book up to the end of Caesar’s first consulship, but Caesar not why I love this book. Instead, what I love are the other characters, each so massively, irremediably, humanly flawed. As the merest, tiniest, piddliest sampling, you have Publius Clodius, the miscreant who’s 50 pages of introductory characterisation is the absolute heart and soul of this book, claiming (among other things) he committed incest with both his sisters in order to own his brother-in-law:
  
  "Clodilla deems you a poor substitute for her little brother."
  
  …only to later lose control of the narrative:
  
  "Clodia? She wouldn't give me an inch!"
  Cicero giggled. "Well, why should she give you an inch when I hear that you give her six of your inches regularly?"
  
  Or Cicero, the “New Man” derided as the bumpkin, the mushroom, or the timid soul, completely unlike his contemporary reputation. Known to us for his speeches, instead he will repeatedly giggle or let out an inarticulate bleat. A man of principles to history, here is he an incurable vacillitator. Desperate to do something memorable in his year of consulship, he sniffs out (incites?) a shadowy conspiracy, only to be damned for it and forced into exile by book’s end:
  
  "On the slenderest of pretexts, you have virtually impeached him."
  
  Or Servila. Haughtiest of patricians; lover of Caesar; mother of a future assassin; crucifer of slaves; sampler of her half-brother’s flesh; and, according to Caesar, possessor of a delightfully hairy back.
  
  There are other female characters, and all seem to be in the thrall of Caesar, but Servila is easily the most fully developed. Boredom directs her towards poisoning her full brother to ensure her own son inherits the “Gold of Tolosa”. Impetuosity leads her to writing a love letter that will risk Caesar's career. Domination of her son will doom him to be a “dense sheep” and a “dull dog”. Unsurprisingly, she has her detractors, including Caesar:
  
  Cold and hard as a slab of marble.
  
  Is she portrayed in a cliched and even misogynistic way, overemotional and easily brought back under Caesar’s sway? Perhaps. But she does a lot in the story, and she has her victories of sorts. Existing in a time period not overly ripe for deep female characterisation, she is unlikable, but we know why she does things, and she does things, rather than sit there as an object to conquer or save.
  
  The critical thing is that the above (and more, so many more) drive the plot of Caesar’s Women. It bursts at the seams with payoffs that are inextricably linked to the actions of the characters rather than unknowable and offscreen entities. Grudges revealed in the first 100 pages will drive decisions made 700 later. Witness Clodius’ revenge on Ptolemy the Cyprian by seizing “the Cyprian” part of his title. All over the latter shafting Clodius on a 2 talent ransom. And, Caesar’s most precious woman, his admittedly underwritten daughter Julia, provides the key to ensuring a key alliance:
  
  He ventured a question about what she did with her days (who cared about her days-what did she do with her nights when the moon rode high and her chariot took her to the stars?)
  
  There are no other hills to be conquered, no other ditches to be leapt, no other books to be read. When I die, build a pyre and fuel the flames with the books from this series so that I may ride to literary Valhalla where Colleen McCullough awaits.
• 
  Tocotin

  It's my first book by this author. I only knew the "Masters of Rome" series was pretty famous, so I was excited to find this one for only 150¥. I can't say it was such a great read, though. The author had done her research, all the political and religious machinations and liaisons are explained at length, there are maps, plans, even portraits (a lol factor, definitely), there is a lot of detail (actually info overload), but... The characters (especially women) had a very modern feel to me, and all the motivations and inner thoughts were always so clearly described as to leave absolutely no space for any mystery or doubt.
  It was as if I were watching one of these ridiculous movies which are set in ancient times, but in which all the columns and floors are dazzlingly white, and there is plenty of light everywhere. No suspense, no feeling that these people were living and thinking in a different way. Also, no real character development (maybe except Clodius), and good guys (Caesar & his friends & family) always good and successful, others always bad. Hmm. But the intrigues got and held my attention, so I read to the end, hence 2 stars. The best part was about the Bona Dea scandal, I loved it, so one more star.
  But I don't think I'd like to read more of this particular author. She has a very simple and at the same time heavy style, and loves info dumps. And everything is about all those rich and influential people, which is boring to me. So I don't know. Maybe if I find another book from this series really cheap?
• 
  Kristin

  I have a soft spot for Roman fiction, more specifically McCullough's meticulous Roman fiction. (Did you know she use to be a neurosurgeon, before she became a writer?) This novel may not have been as exciting as the previous books, but I still enjoyed it. I enjoy novels that give a voice to minority characters who fill in the background details that the storytellers of the time deemed unimportant.
  
  I feel like maybe there was more "setting up" in this novel of the antagonism between the boni and Caesar. There was definitely lots of hinting and foreshadowing of the fact that Caesar would do anything to protect his dignitas and to show that there's a wildness to his anger when provoked. Also, the development of Cicero was not what I expected. I was intrigued by the author's explanation in the back that, although well thought of today, many of Cicero's contemporaries didn't really like him. I also enjoyed reading about the Vestals and their part in keeping the Wills of the Romans. I didn't know about that.
  
  Overall, I really enjoyed it.
• 
  Kelley

  Not my favorite of the series so far, but still a masterpiece. By the way, the name of the book doesn’t give it justice and if you’re looking for a romance novel, this isn’t it. I was surprised at how negatively Cicero was portrayed (this is explored further in the author’s note – McCullough always has good reason for everything she does). However, it was a nice change of pace to have less battle scenes and more of a focus on everyday lives, intertwined with tons of political intrigue of course. I didn’t know that Caesar’s daughter was (possibly) betrothed to Brutus as a child before marrying Pompey? Anyway, it was an adventure as is always the case with this series, and there was some good foreshadowing of what’s to come.
• 
  Tudor Ciocarlie

  So much more interesting than the latest European and American elections. You see very clearly in this novel how our justice and political institutions, made by white men for white men in the 18th and 19th centuries, were based on the Greek and Roman justice and political systems, also made by white men for white men.
• 
  Ángel Real

  Fabulosa recreación del final de la República romana.
  No tan brillante como el magristal 1o de la saga, tampoco como el muy buen 2o, pero por encima del 3o de la saga.
  Maniobras, maquinaciones, trampas y crónica rosa.
  Lo que debía ser la política romana de la época.
  Muy bien escrito y mejor documentado.
• 
  Daphne

  Caesar's Women is not, as the cover and title might suggest, a romance novel disguised as historical fiction, but an accurate and meticulously researched portrayal of Ancient Rome. Filled with plenty of political upheaval, such as the witnessing of Caesar emasculating his enemies, the Optimates and Cicero being reduced to a whimpering fool. This novelization of history is more factual than most, as it presents historical events in its entirety. Caesar and his political strategies are brutal and heartless, but that is so often the truth when it comes to all-powerful men.
  
  The novel also presents voice to the women behind Caesar. Feminists might find the role women play in the novel misogynistic, as they are often thrust around as political weapons rather than human beings. Again, women being treated as mere objects was often the sad reality of being a woman in Ancient Rome. Women were divorced and re-married for the sake of familial alliances and advancing the family name.
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed the book, albeit some parts being a little long-winded and overly detailed. I suppose describing every minute event and political battle that took place in Ancient Rome can have its merits and its pitfalls. However, it remains an interesting piece of historical fiction that I will probably re-read in the near future.
• 
  SnezhArt

  Десять лет Цезарь торчит в Риме, строит политические многоходовочки и заводит разнообразные отношения с множеством женщин.
• 
  Abhishek Dafria

  Whenever I complete a book from the Masters of Rome series, I never cease to wonder the talent that lay in the hands of Colleen McCullough who could turn more than 2000-year old history into such a fascinating piece of work, as if she stood there, right at the doorsteps of the Roman Forum, soaking in the politics, the gossips, the wars of Ancient Rome. Caesar’s Women brings us to a newer age of Rome, moving away from the previous three books where Gaius Marius and Cornelius Sulla took centre-stage for most times. It is now Caesar, and Caesar alone who is going to bring to life the stories of Colleen McCullough. It takes a bit of time though to reach to the real Caesar, as if Colleen McCullough wanted to give a flavour of Rome without him too, for once Caesar comes in the frame, it is difficult to look anywhere else. A man driven by his desire to be the best Roman the world has seen, a savvy politician, a sharp tactician, nonetheless burdened by those that feared his growing power. The book takes us through the journey of a mature Caesar who is coming close to his year as consul, as his sharpness of mind starts to make him stand apart from the crowd. A bit of Sulla, a bit of Marius, you will find, but Caesar still has his own personality that would make you dream of having lived in Ancient Rome and walked by his side. Oh, the energy that must have seeped through him!
  
  As the title of the book suggests, many female characters do occupy a prominent position in this story. Caesar’s mother has always been a force to be reckoned with, but now we also meet his daughter Julia and the lady Servilia whose path will intersect with Caesar a lot. We get to see the roles these women played in Caesar’s life, the manner in which they influenced his decisions, and how instrumental they were in his rise. Oh, but no book on Rome is complete without the political entanglements, and Caesar’s Women continues to hold colourful and exciting stories on that front too as have the previous three books. New names emerge, old names remain, those with ties to Caesar, those who would do anything to see him fail. And we do read more on young Brutus, the lad who will play a critical role in Caesar’s history.
  
  An extraordinary book, though I would rate it slightly below the previous three that I have read. Maybe Colleen McCullough has spoilt us with the grand narratives of Gaius Marius and Cornelius Sulla, that I missed them now. It took time for me to accept Caesar as the centre of the story. As an old man who would look at the stars and dream of the world gone by, I too felt a pang in my heart when those names I had become familiar with in Colleen McCullough’s first three books now were a memory, as a new generation takes over the Roman Forum and fights its own brand of politics. Pompey the Great is no longer the kid of the Butcher, trying hard to make a name for himself and feel accepted, but a veteran and the First Man of Rome. Ahh, how times change! But now that I have soaked in Caesar's world, I am truly excited about reading the next book, for it would be another great adventure that cannot be missed...
• 
  GoldGato

  For a while in the 1990s, I was very much into the whole fictional take on ancient Rome and its most famous citizens, such as Sulla, Gaius Marius, and Julius Caesar. It was one thing to read standard biographies of them and quite another to get absorbed in some fictional lifestyles. Thus, it was Colleen McCullough I turned to with her very enjoyable 'Masters Of Rome' series. I wasn't disappointed.
  
  This is one of those summer-type books that get included in the walk to the beach. Spread that towel, slather on the sunscreen, put on the sunglasses, and read this book. The goods are here, just as the title states, as it's all about the women in Caesar's life, whether it be his mother or daughter or the Vestal Virgins (what?). Personally, I think one should start at the beginning of the series to get the feel for where McCullough is going with her historical figures, but this one will suffice anyway.
  
  Book Season = Summer (toga toga)
• 
  Marjolein

  I did it! I read the first 3 books of this series in Dutch and never knew there was more... until I discovered that this summer and decided to continue in English (because I couldn't find translations). It scared me a bit, so big, and it's not that easy to read, but I did it and I really enjoyed it. Maybe there are a bit too many details from time to time, and there are some parts of the story that did not interest me too much (mainly when we are away from our main characters for a long time), but in general I really enjoyed it, found it really interesting to read more about a time period I know some things about, but not in too much details, and I'm really looking forward to the next book (which I still have to buy), because I have the feeling the story of Caesar is only just beginning and I want to know what happens next.
• 
  Jeff

  It's always a joy to dive into McCullough's Rome. Her meticulous detail, sharp voice for characters, and sheer volume of writing make these novels feel like an extended trip to the ancient world, although this entry is a bit weaker than the earlier ones.
  
  In the Foreward she writes that her narrative has reached the period of ancient Rome that is better documented than the ones covered in her previous works. The resulting slight shift away from fiction toward history may explain why this entry is less compelling; History isn't always dramatic.
  
  Throughout the book, the same dynamic repeatedly plays out between Caesar and his political enemies the boni: the boni, out of hatred of Ceasar, attempt some political stratagem which Caesar foils through his exceptional intellect, daring, education, or some other superlative property. Even the boni themselves grow frustrated with their defeats, declaring "We'll never beat him!"
  
  The sameness of these encounters don't shed much light on the character of Caesar, who swans through the peak of his political career showing little effort, occasional anger, and no doubt. He's a cipher, even among his family or his peers Pompey and Crassus.
  
  As a fan of ancient warfare, I was disappointed by the lack of military action in the book. Pompey's war against the pirates is covered as a remote conflict and Caesar's adventurous legateship in Spain is almost completely skipped. Warfare has always been a minor element of these books but I was disappointed by its absence.
  
  In its place though, is a satisfying new element: as indicated by the title this book greatly expands the role of the women of Rome. Caesars mother, wives, and lovers join various other women as characters as large and vital as Caesar's friends and rivals, and McCullough's characterization remains masterful.
  
  In particular, the feminine and even feminist ritual of the Bona Dea captures what's so great about these books: exotic but engaging, surprising but convincing.
• 
  Sam

  ok yeah i read this one too. i feel a little feverish (not like in a covid way, but in a 'i'm over saturated with rome content way')! three more books and ~2400 pages to go!!!
  
  anyways this is the point in the series where you realize Colleen McCullough is horny for Julius Caesar kinda like how Diana Gabaldon is horny for Jamie in Outlander. is there a name for this phenomenon, where the author very clearly wants to have sex with their literary creation? it's, like, Pygmalion-esque. idk. anywoo, 5/5 stars.
• 
  Anne

  I found this to be a hard read - all the politics and the long complicated names. But I did enjoy it. I am in awe of the depth of knowledge of the author. Maybe if I had started with book #1 (and not #4) it would have been easier, but I have had this volume sitting on my shelf for years, probably decades, and it fit my aim of clearing some “chunksters” from my TBR list. It does have a very useful glossary of pertinent Roman terms, but I longed for a detailed character list. It would have helped me so much. I suspect I will try book 1 at some point, but right now I need something fun and easy to read.
• 
  Heidi

  This was my first try at reading a Colleen McCullough book and I was not disappointed. It took me a LONG time to get thoroughly into the story (I got bogged down with all the Roman names for awhile) but once it grabbed me it didn't let me go. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books and more from this specific series... she is an AMAZING writer and did exhaustive research for this particular historical series.
• 
  Ozymandias

  Story: 8 (A reasonably clear account of Caesar’s pre-Gallic career)
  Characters: 8 (Well-written but not as memorable as Sulla)
  Accuracy: 10 (Basically perfect)
  
  I really hate the name of this novel and the next one. Caesar’s Women and Caesar? How uninspiring. I do wish she’d gone for her proposed title of Let the Dice Fly for the following one. I have no idea why this book is called Caesar’s Women. Women do factor into it, but not more regularly than in previous books. There is some truth to these titles in that Caesar is at the forefront in a way that none of the characters in the previous books were. This is Caesar’s story now, and he’s in it to win. His rise up through the political ladder is told clearly and carefully. In many ways this book is the most important of all from a narrative purpose. The alliances formed here and the fallout from these actions will motivate everything that happens in the final books. The stage is being set for Caesar’s civil war.
  
  The book’s view of Caesar (and the rest of the First Men to one degree or another) really is that of a Nietzschean übermensch. Caesar (and the rest) is a great man full of great ability and promise. His foes are all mediocrities of one sort or another conspiring to prevent competent men from arising who might threaten their self-image as “great” men. And while this is certainly true to a degree, it ignores the destructive nature inherent to these übermenschen. Can you blame Caesar’s enemies for trying to prevent another Sulla? Another civil war with all the death and destruction that entails? And while it might be argued that this description of them is Caesar’s viewpoint (and I don’t doubt that this was how Caesar saw it) we’re never (at least so far) given any reasons for opposition to Caesar beyond personal animosity or jealousy. The book takes his side absolutely, not necessarily making him pure or anything (I think his basic personality and behavior is spot on) but making all his obstacles devoid of consequence. Maybe that will come back to bite him in future books. This is, after all, early days for him. But the two rival points of view are not really in place: that Rome needs change and this can only be done by placing a competent man in charge vs. that Rome needs to preserve her traditions and freedoms (especially aristocratic ones) against domination by a single faction. Instead it’s personal and petty, and while there was a lot of that and nobody’s motives were pure, it’s frustrating that only one side gets a genuine ideology and actual sympathy.
  
  Regarding these übermensch, it seems odd to me that their goals don’t really matter, only their ability to reach them. Sulla’s intentions for Rome were vastly different from Caesar’s, yet both are treated in a generally positive way. Because they achieved something. That matters more than how they achieve it or even what they achieved. And that bothers me, both for the historical implications and the ethical ones. Yes, nobody turns to the Romans for views on proper moral behavior. Slavery, murder, corruption, extortion... these were all acceptable elements of Roman society and are all on display here. But there is a thesis being posed here that I find very troubling. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but I don’t believe that
  
  The curious thing here is that while the book takes Caesar’s side like a firm partisan it doesn’t really make him very likeable. Perhaps that’s impossible. A youthful Caesar with actual emotions and stuff can be enjoyed. This Caesar has largely discarded such limitations as reflecting ill on his dignitas. A cold, emotionless Caesar, even one who has emotions but just bottles them up to preserve his public image, can never be personally appealing to moderns so fond of emotional reactions. Or, frankly, to those who had to deal with him not as a successful and generous superior but as an equal. Because Caesar can brook no equal. That’s why it’s a lot easier to sympathize with Pompey’s childishness or Crassus’ genuine concern or Cato’s insane rage and Cicero’s weakness.
  
  Speaking of the others, it was very nice to see Pompey actually developing into more of the competent military commander recorded by history. If there was a complaint about him from the last book it was that he was too childish and immature. But here Pompey develops an unexpected (and painful) ability to learn. It really impresses me how well McCullough is able to make these characters grow and develop without ever drawing attention to the changes or feeling unnatural or unearned. It was awe-inspiring to see decayed, decrepit, wicked Sulla appear from the East and still feel like the same person as young and overpowering Sulla. And it’s the same with mature Pompey. He’s still the overemotional man thirsting for praise who we saw as a kid, but he’s learned from his failures (something that seemed impossible) and now takes his campaigns a lot more seriously. And while he will never be a political as well as military genius, he’s sat down and worked out exactly how to go about gaining and keeping political positions too (even though it was really really boring and he hated it and it sucked and was stupid). I’ll be sad to watch his fall in the next book. But who can face Caesar and win?
  
  Crassus was the real surprise here. While we saw a bit of him in the last book (the whole Spartacus thing) we never really got to know him outside his peculation and greed. But here he comes across as a loyal friend, loving father and husband, and generally sensible man. And also very close to Caesar. I never really thought of Crassus and Caesar as good friends. Their alliance always seemed more one of convenience, as with Pompey. But it works very well here. Just from a plot perspective, Caesar needs someone who’s close to an equal with whom he can plot and exposit. And as Aurelia is sidelined (a sad but necessary consequence of growing up) and suffers from the misfortune of being a female it needs to be someone outside the family. I was never expecting to actually like Crassus, who usually comes across as one of the bogeymen of the age: a greedy, cruel plutocrat who cared for nothing but wealth and advancing his own position. His fall will likewise be sad to watch.
  
  Finally showing up is one of my personal favorite historical figures: Publius Clodius. A wonderfully mischievous man who seems to have gotten up in the morning rubbing his hands with glee at the thought of the trouble he could cause that day. An immensely enjoyable and eccentric demagogue, my only complaint is that we hardly spend enough time on him. Most of his famous acts take place between this book and the next, which is really unfortunate.
  
  And then we get the optimates and related allies: Cato, Cicero, Scipio, and Bibulus. As mentioned before, they all come off pretty badly. Cato is nearly perfect as the screeching, angry man of extreme virtue and little give, although his good traits (honesty, integrity, bravery) are generally ignored in favor of his hypocrisies. Cicero is weak, vacillating, easily swayed, and quite full of himself. This isn’t far off, although again it seems to focus more on his negative traits than his positive ones. Bibulus is angry and vengeful, though not for any real reason. He was humiliated by Caesar way back as a contubernis (tent-mate), but while that obviously means he’s not going to get along great with Caesar (not helped by their having to contest every magistracy at the same time) it doesn’t seem to really justify his loathing and scuttling of his own career to take Caesar down. What did he fear? We never really find out. Which sucks, because that was one thing that Scaurus was really clear about. When one man rises too high above the rest Rome cannot cope. And since Scaurus’ time, the constant rise of such men has radicalized the remaining partisans. While he could work with Marius when it suited his cause, these men would rather tear down the state than give in to Caesar. But you’d still think that would make them more not less able to articulate clear motives. Beyond the strictly personal.
  
  Oh, and Scipio was also present. That’s probably the most that can be said of him, both in the novel and in real life.
  
  The story here is that of Caesar’s rise. And Pompey’s personal growth of course, but mainly Caesar’s ascension through the various magistracies. As such there’s not as many dramatic events going on. Certainly there are very few wars and revolutions. This is a moment of relative peace between the chaos of Sulla’s and Caesar’s civil wars. Caesar’s early career moves (pre-proconsul of Gaul) was fairly standard even if uncommonly perfect. Most of the conflict comes from the opposition, which is fierce and unyielding. His ascension up the ladder of the cursus honorum was standard, but his ambition and behavior during his terms of office were much resented. Which leaves the novel with plenty to dramatize, even as it struggles with the fact that Caesar isn’t the main mover of events.