The Gates of Rome

Gaius and Marcus are eight year old boys revelling in life when they are set upn by  Suetonius a 14 year old neighbour and a couple of his friends.  The two lads take a serious beating.  Tubruk, ex-gladiator and the estate manager is asked by Gaius' father to find someone to train the boys.  Renius, a battle hardened veteran is brought in to do so.

Cabera comes at a time when Gaius is injured and saves his life.  Later, Gaius loses his father in a riot and becomes master of the estate.  He has an interest in Alexandria, who is a slave.  He later discovers that Marcus is also interested in her.  Gaius looks to his uncle for protection.  The boys have a lot to learn from Uncle Marius.

Gaius is elected to the senate in place of his father, while Marcus is sent to Greece for further military training with Renius.  Gaius gets to meet men like Sulla and Pompey.  He also falls in love with Cornelia, daughter of Cinna.  When he marries her he takes his adult name; Gaius Julius Caesar.

Sulla has been sent by the senate to put down a revolt in the east.  Inthe meantime, Marius takes control of Rome.  Sulla is quick in putting down the revolt and returns to Rome with his army.  Marius is intent on preventing him from taking the city.  However, Sulla's guile wins the city back and Julius is forced to flee.

Julius and Cabrera join a legion headed to Egypt, but when he boards the legion's ship he runs into his old nemesis, Suetonius.

Author, Conn Iggulden, has done terrific research to present this novel of Rome.  A great read for fans of historical fiction.  I am looking forward to reading the sequel.