Pēc maniem novērojumiem, vēsturiskie romāni dalās divās daļās: tādi, kuri literatūras labā pielāgo vēsturiskos faktus stāstam vai vispār diezgan brīvi aizpilda baltos plankumus, un tādi, kas literatūru pakārto vēstures izklāstam. Šī romānu sērija viennozīmīgi upurē literatūru uz vēstures altāra :). Autore paveikusi titānisku darbu, sarakstot septiņus pamatīgi biezus romānus, kas aptver ļoti ierobežotu laikaposmu no 2. gs. p.m.ē. pašām beigām līdz 1. gs. p.m.ē. pēdējai trešdaļai. Vēstījums sadalīts romānos, un katrs it kā jau koncentrējas uz vienu galveno varoni ("Pirmais vīrs Romā" - Gajs Marijs; "Zāles vainags" - Sulla; "Fortūnas izredzētie" Cēzars un/vai Cicerons, "Cēzara sievietes" -atkal jau Cēzars), bet patiesībā visi (dzīvie) varoņi ir klātesoši visos romānos, un vēstījums hronoloģiski izseko galvenajiem notikumiem Romas dzīvē republikas norieta laikā.

Viena sižeta līnija stāsta par Romas kariem. Pirmajās grāmatās tie ir kari pret ģermāņiem, Sabiedroto karš pret itāļu ciltīm, kas vēlas kļūt par pilntiesīgiem Romas pilsoņiem, ieskicēta karadarbība Āfrikā (ar numīdiešiem) un austrumos (ar Pontas ķēniņu Mitridatu un viņa znotu - Armēnijas ķēniņu Tigranu). Tāpat aprakstīta Spartaka augšupeja un bojāeja. Šajā sakarā autore arī izvirza hipotēzi par Spartaka izcelsmi, kas gan ir spekulācija, bet godprātīgi pamatota pēcvārdā. "Cēzara sievietēs" jau nedaudz atspoguļoti Cēzara iekarojumi Gallijā un britu salās.

Otra pastāvīga sižeta līnija ļoti kolorīti attēlo politiskās cīņas senātā un tautas sapulcē. Jāatzīst, ka šīs nodaļas man šķiet vissaistošākās. Te tiešām pārskatāmi var iepazīties ar Romas politisko pārvaldi un skaļākajām lietām, intrigām, apvērsumu mēģinājumiem, tiesas prāvām, atentātiem utt. Top skaidrs, kas īsti ir pretors, konsuls, edils, prokonsuls, cenzors, tautas tribūns ko viņi katrs dara, kā tiek pārvaldītas provinces - un kā darbojas visa šī antīkās pasaules check and balance sistēma.

Trešā sižeta līnija ir sadzīviskā. Te mēs uzzinām gan par mājas sadzīvi, sieviešu ikdienu, laulībām, saimniecību, reliģiju utt.

Katras grāmatas beigās ir iespaidīgs un ļoti noderīgs glosārijs, kas tiešām palīdz lasīšanā.
"Cēzara sievietes" diemžēl šobrīd ir pēdējā latviski tulkotā grāmata. Atlikušās trīs lasīšu angliski.
Piecas zvaigznes nevaru likt, jo, kā jau rakstīju, literārās kvalitātes, ir mazliet apdalītas. Bet mazāk par četrām zvaigznēm šādam darbam arī grūti ielikt.

Mazliet vēl pažēlošos par tulkojumu. "Cēzara sievietes" ir tulkojusi cita tulkotāja - Andžela Šuvajeva. Un es nemaz nešaubos, ka viņai ir argumenti par labu viņas izvēlei dažu personvārdu tulkojumam. Bet man kā lasītājai tiešām traucē, ka pirmajos trīs romānos ir Pompejs, bet ceturtajā - Pompējs. Un tā tālāk. Ja nu tā patiešām ir tik principiāla lieta, tad vismaz prasītos priekšvārds ar skaidrojumu, kāpēc tā. Bet tas nu tā - blusas. Pamatā gribēju teikt, ka ir vērts lasīt. :)

There’s a lot of political scheming in this, and sometimes it seems like modern times. I really haven’t liked Servilia since she was a bitter little girl. Still, fascinating stuff.

Boy, it appears that the Roman Republic was as f**d up as our current political system. The more things change the more they are the same, as the saying goes. You have dirty tricksters (Clodius), you have politicians who are trying to do the right thing by their constituents, i.e. Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey and then you also have the obstructionists, i.e. Cato, Bibulus among others. I couldn't help, as I was reading, of putting contemporary politician faces to the characters.

I am simply in awe how McCullough is able to fictionalize this period of the Roman Republic based on her research and making logical inference from period documents and known historical facts. She tells a good story and makes the period exciting. In addition she describes how the women associated with powerful Romans may have affected decisions and politician's behavior. She makes us think that, obviously, these Roman politicians had relationships with women who steered them, who supported them and who advised them.

If you are interested in the Roman Republic history, then this series, Masters of Rome, is very informative. The fiction is woven into the historical record. At the end of the book, McCullough does provide a chapter to support her view of her fictionalized account and she chose the logic on why she might have deviated from the documented record.

Another excellent installment in this great series.

This is the first book in this series that I read, I randomly found it on a shelf in a shared condo library. I then found all the rest of the books in the series and absolutely loved it. For years afterwards, I think my friends would get annoyed as I would continually tell stories about Julius Caesar

It's a coin toss as to which is my favorite in the Masters of Rome series, Caesar's Women or The First Man in Rome.

The women referred to in the title are not just Caesar's wives or lovers. It also refers to his mother, who was one of the most important influences in his life, his daughter, Julia, and even the Vestal Virgins that were in his care as Pontifex Maximus. It's a great look into the lives of the upper class women and a thoroughly interesting read. Unlike the major male players, less is known about the women so McCullough can have a lot more license regarding their personalities.

I love this series more for its portrait of everyday life more than the interesting story of how Rome began to move away from its republican beginnings.

‘It wasn’t the gold, it was the lengthening of Rome’s reach. What did they have, that small race from a little city on the Italian salt route? Why was it they who swept all before them? Not like a gigantic wave, more like a millstone grinding patiently, patiently at whatever was thrown down as grist. They never gave up, the Romans.’

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?

Brilliantly researched, brings the characters and Roman history to life. The title, which suggests a bodice ripper, could have been more accurately given. (It’s far from a sordid romance, and instead a political–cultural exposition.)

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.

Well researched and enjoyable

I really enjoy this series from the author Colleen McCullough. It captures the inner workings of Roman male politics, and what was happening to the Women Within the society at the time so it's a good read highly recommend it. This book is more for those who love ancient Roman history and are someone well versed in Roman history. I would not describe it as a light Beach read but still a Worthy read

Caesar's Women is 4th in the Masters of Rome series following the political exploits of Caesar and his first year of consulship. As the name suggests, the book also spends some time following the women in Caesar's life. It is always a pleasure to read the skillful weaving of narrative and facts. I enjoyed reading about the political manipulation of both Caesar and his sworn enemies. Caesar himself is presented much as I imagined him to be; brilliant, bold and authoritative. However, despite this I was disappointed by the author's obvious bias for Caesar. This preference would bleed into the description of other characters and their actions. For example, when Cicero is reading a letter, it is mentioned that Caesar would have read it much faster which seemed unnecessary. I took a star off for that reason. It was a bit tiring constantly reading how perfect Caesar was. As a end result although I found Caesar fascinating and admirable, I did not enjoy reading about him as much as Sulla, Marius, Sertorius, Drusus, and Pompeius Magnus. All of them did terrible and great things and it added a depth to their character and story.
Among Caesar's women, Aurelia is always a pleasure to read about. Julia was a delight as well. Servilia continues to be one of the most loathsome characters I have read about. Although she is interesting I will give her that.