Overall, this book is like the previous three - a detailed historical novel, less concerned with a tight plot than with pouring out its cornucopia of historical riches. This time, however, it is more. One character - Caesar, obviously - dominates the book, and everyone else revolves around him (his opponents, the boni Cato, Bibulus, and their lesser allies; his allies Pompey and Crassus (as well as the various tribunes of the plebs Caesar employs), and, of course, his women, of whom his wives Pompeia Sulla and Calpurnia are much less important than his daughter Julia, his mother Aurelia, and his lover Servilia). McCullough remains a Caesar stan, but Caesar does not remain flawless forever: His enemies manage to get under his skin at various times, especially during his consulate. Caesar shows himself to be haughty and vengeful in turn - a superbia which makes his enemies just fear ever more that he intends to raise himself above them, make himself a king based on his skill, his popularity, and his lineage. Caesar, on the other hand, does not want to be cut down just because he is a tall poppy - and thinks the Republic owes him (and others who have done much for it, like Pompey or Crassus) a place of honor. The stage for the final conflict of the Roman Republic is set.

At this point I'm running out of things to say about Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series. If you've read this far, you're likely to stick with it. And I don't recommend starting with this volume. If your interest is only in Julius Caesar, you should probably begin with the previous entry. And if – like me – you're more intrigued by the whole fall-of-the-Republic thing, then start at the beginning. The author continues her mix of epic history and personal drama, mostly centered on Caesar's first term as consul.

Caesar's Women (Masters of Rome, #4) is just as good as the first three book in this series.


Colleen invites us to unravel its intricacies layer by layer. It challenges us to confront the history within the story, suggesting that those who venture into this world may emerge with a changed perspective.

Another incredible entry to the series. History lovers delight as no depth is spared in the name of simplification - the author brings you the labyrinthian swamp of late republic Roman political bureaucracy with all the quirks, pillars, and flaws that have fascinated historians for 1000s of years.

It's so satisfying getting to read these characters grow up and now have them all interacting and assuming their destinies. I really enjoy getting to read about one character, knowing that we were reading about their ancestors or decisions that led to their current situation in such detail in the previous novels.

The fourth in the 'Masters of Rome' series, covering 10 years from 68-58 BC, chronicling the rise of Gaius Julius Caesar, with most of the narrative set in Rome itself. Despite being part of the book's name, the first half of the book does not really focus on Caesar himself. Much of it is spent on building up the rest of the cast who would play an important role in Caesar's life during this period - from his allies like Pompey the Great and Marcus Crassus to enemies like Cato and Bibulus, and even those who, in modern terminology could be called frenemies like Cicero and Clodius. However, the author remains true to the title by delving into the minds and lives of the various women who essay a key role in Caesar's life - his mother Aurelia, his lover Servilia, his daughter Julia and even the non-influencer - his wife Pompeia, whom he later divorces - though to a minimal extent.
Cicero, in this book, is shown in poor light, and the author does say in her notes that his peers didn't think too much of him, as per the documentation available from that era. The other important character who makes an extended appearance is Brutus, originally betrothed to Caesar's daughter Julia.
It then follows Caesar's political career covering his curule aedileship, his election as Pontifex Maximus, governorship of Further Spain and his first consulship. The book also highlights possibly the only chink in Caesar's otherwise impenetrable armour - an indifference towards money - though he manages to learn his lessons in that respect towards the end of the book.
The book not only chronicles how Caesar uses various tools, even marriage (his own as well as his daughter's), to out-manoeuver his enemies and further his rise to prominence, but also manages to give a good idea of how Roman society functioned, in terms of culture, belief systems and hierarchy. It minimally shows Caesar's military genius but quite elaborately showcases his political and legal brilliance, aided in no small measure by his mother Aurelia, and which culminates in the formation of the triumvirate with Marcus Licinius Crassus and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus.
The book sets quite a lively pace though it does require concentration to follow the various alliances that are made and broken at regular intervals. As in the previous books, and probably more so because of the new characters, the large secondary cast is not easy to follow. The final pages of the book point to a change in Caesar after his year as consul and sets the stage for the next book.

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)

This is a big book filled with roman politics, contracts, tradition, culture, romance and conniving antics. Colleen McCullough has clearly done her research and has put what we know into a story that takes the reader deep into the Senate and behind the closed doors of Rome's citizens. Most appreciated was the insight into Julius Caesar, his political prowess and aptitude for getting exactly what he wanted at any moment.
Admittedly, the first half of this book took me a long time to enjoy, but as I made more of an effort to read chapters regularly (the chapters can be quite long), I found my enjoyment level increased exponentially. Like the other books in this series, I became enthralled in the story and characters to the point I was thinking about this work all the time, which to me means it is a fantastic book. My inability to immediately enjoy the book from the start has reduced my rating to three stars, but think this is a must-read story in the series. I look forward now to reading the next book.

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.

This book was very disappointing as the title led you to believe you would be reading all about the fascinating women in Caesar's life, but this was not the case at all. More battles, more politics, little else.

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.

Clearly very well researched and an engaging read that makes one want to read more. This was my first read from this author and I've already gone and purchase two more books from this series about ancient Rome and a book focused on the founding of Australia. Looking forward to much more.

Unlike the title the book did not focus on women. It wasn't even all about Caesar. Instead it is a comprehensive view of multiple political movers and shakers over a time period. Very interesting. I learned a lot and enjoyed the experience.

It was so good to learn. of ceasar the politician before he became a general. he actually only really started going in his late 30s. its also interesting to note pride comes before a fall a saying that was probably written for ceasar. his relationship with servillia seems exhausting. the politics of the old republic have started cracking. raced through this over a weekend!