Too many names for me to keep the characters straight. Harder than the first book. But interesting and entertaining.

This is the second book in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series, following The First Man in Rome. It covers the period from 99 -86 B.C. Since I know very little about the history of ancient Rome I learned a great deal from this detailed account which is largely a story of political intrigue, civil war and upheaval. I also found it to be very suspenseful and proved that truth can be stranger than fiction. The central characters are Lucius Cornelius Sulla and Gaius Marius, both of whom were featured in The Grass Crown. This book also introduces Julius Caesar as a child. As someone who reads pretty quickly this was a rare book that took me a full month to read, so it is not an easy undertaking to get through it, but it is definitely worth the time and energy for anyone who is interested in history. I look forward to reading the entire series.

The second book in the Masters of Rome series is as dramatic, as enthralling and as juicy as the first one which had taken my breath away. And before I say anything further, I hold my hands up in salute to the late Colleen McCullough, the story-teller who dug deep and strove hard to make the Roman Empire alive again, all for us, the readers, so that we may revisit one of the most enigmatic periods of human history. While reading this series I have felt as if I am walking amongst the Romans, hearing their heartfelt speeches, observing their savage politics, escaping the brutality on the battlefield, fearing for the life of many whom I have come to love in this series.

When we kept aside the first book, The First Man in Rome, we had lived through the era when Gaius Marius had been crowned the consul of Rome for a staggering six times, and his friend and admired colleague Lucius Sulla had started dreaming of coming out of the shadows of Marius. It is from here when the story begins again, with Marius and Sulla still friends, worried about the possible war that could erupt with King Mithridates of Pontus. But before that war, there is a sort of tension building up within the walls of the Roman Empire itself, a growing discontent amongst the Italian allies who are seeking enfranchisement in Rome. This would be a much talked about topic in this story that begins from somewhere in 98 BC and continues until 86 BC. McCullough once again pulls us with alarming ease into the mess of Rome and its might, scaring us and keeping us at awe all at the same time. External wars, internal strife, they all add to the flavour and colour of that era. But deep in this story is the growing distance between Sulla and Marius, their ambition to be the greatest Man of Rome, for which they are willing to take on any devilish form. Many more characters occupy multiple chapters, as the book is filled with extensive narratives about the different Roman families, the planning and scheming that they all seem to have carried out to move a step above in the political ladder. But it is difficult to take your eyes away from Marius and Sulla.

Oh wait, did I mention something about a young kind called Julius Caesar? Ahh, the most famous Roman of our time is a young kid in this book, but he starts to form a personality as the book moves forward, and begins to emit the kind of aura for which he would be known later on. McCullough knows just about how much of each character to throw into the mix, in this vast Roman Empire that is full of stories to tell. The beauty of this series is that McCullough has picked out the best ones to narrate, the ones which create a strong continuity despite the massive bulk of this book. There is a nice flow to the story which binds the book together and keeps the reader completely engrossed. Even after reading the 1,000+ pages of The Grass Crown, the book’s end left me with a feeling that I am not done yet, and there is a lot more to read and learn from Roman history. I have already picked up the next in this series and soon shall embark on another eventful journey in time... in Rome...

In this, the second of the Masters of Rome series, we learn more about the remarkable Sulla. His ability to casually murder those who will thereby aid his rise to power, has already been established in the first book. His pursuit of the Grass Crown - recognition by a Legion of the brilliance of its commander - provides the theme for this tale of a ruthless but strangely attractive man. Again it is McCullough's understanding of Rome of this time and the details she provides that add to rather than detract from the story, that contribute to making this a first rate read.

Thoughts upon completing The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough by Rebecca Moll

A book review of such a masterfully written historical fiction work of art, The Grass Crown and the 2nd in Colleen McCullough’s Masters of Rome novel series 97-86 BC, would be like my challenging Gaius Marius’ loyal and gigantic Germanic slave, Burgundus, to an arm wrestle. Need I say, I am but a little more than a little on the little side?
However, the thoughts do come at the completion of such a novel. And as this is my third of the series, a bit of a rebel, I read the 4th book in the series first, Caesar’s Women 67-59 BC, a baptism by fire of sorts for a first foray into Roman history, I feel a familiarity with the author, her style, whit, humor much like picking up with a lifelong friend after a long absence. In stride in no time.
For me, it is the dialogue that brings the period, culture, and characters to life and McCullough is a genius at revealing her story through secondary characterization. Dialogue, letters, and the reactionary behavior, verbal and non-verbal, of a cast of characters paint a moving picture. I chuckle, laugh, grimace, and sigh as history plays out over 815 pages, always something around the corner, my thoughts traveling to the next page, and the next, and the next.
A bookend book for sure, yet, I find myself reaching for the next in the series, Fortune’s Favorites 83-69 BC.
We all know the true hues of history fade with time and, in life, rarely is it an absolute matter of good against evil. Roman culture is no different. From infancy to the Republic, Empire, to its devastating fall, Roman culture has memorized generation after generation with both light and dark, heights and depths, good and evil. And while, as a whole, the culture may be idolized or hated, it is the intimacy with which McCullough tells her story that I find myself identifying and commiserating with characters and culture that walk off the page and into your life. Oh, to have a sip of wine with Julia, to listen to Young Caesar in the other room, to hide from the evil eyes of Sulla, to stand on the Rostra and feel your purpose, to wander and recognize faces, names, temples, shops, and roads, those Roman roads, those old Roman roads still standing the test of time today.
I find myself contemplating how, no matter time or place, mankind, at its very core, is still much the same.
I am thankful McCullough’s passion for the ancient world has presented such a palatable presentation for those of us whom dabble with infantile skills into the realm of scholars. Her love of the period and everything Roman shines through, basking the reader in a warm glow, a true legacy to a writer of immense talent and accomplishment.
Do not be daunted by the size or breath of this series. Like any journey worth traveling, take one step at a time, one page, one chapter, one book. Carry those you’ve come to know and walk on. Consider the Appian Way and the Via Appia will not disappoint, each stone a foothold as your toes find purchase and eyes seek the horizon, soaking in the colors of a culture, vivid and riveting, burgeoning, unfolding. As we all know, “Rome was not built in a day.”
And perhaps, along the way, we shall meet, side by side, somewhere between Pompey and Sulla or Caesar and Quintus. Let’s head for the Crossroads College, the one by Aurelia’s insula and the home of Julius Caesar’s youth. Perhaps, Lucius Decumius will offer his protection, for I hear Ancient Rome is a dangerous place to be. “When in Rome…”
May the road rise up to meet you and may the sun set before you. Travel like a true Roman, “Veni, vidi, vici,” and the spoils will leave you rich in body, mind, and spirit.
Safe travels my friends.

A comprehensive epic, both immersive and very dense. Had to read this in little chunks with intermittent breaks, because it took energy to read. For historical accuracy and details, this series cannot be beat. For history fans who want a very in-depth, slow paced masterpiece.

This Book Two of the Masters of Rome series follows the political and personal lives of the famous men and women of ancient Rome.
Gaius Marius, Lucius Cornelius Sulla and Publius Rutilius Rufus dine together. Marius announces his intention to go on pilgrimage to Pessinus, but his friends know he wants to check out what’s going on in Cappadocia.
Quintus Caecilius Metellus (Piggle-wiggle) is out for blood, and Marius’ man Manius Aquillius is on trial. Sulla is about to leave for Spain on campaign. Marius takes his family to Patrae, then Athens, then Helicarnassus and in the spring, on to Pessinus. Young Gaius Julius Caesar is a precocious lad, and Aurelia hires a pedagogue. The rivalry between Sulla and Piggle-wiggle escalates.
In Sinope, King Mithridates of Pontus reads a letter—Gaius Marius wants to meet. Mithridates travels incognito. He is out for conquest.
Marius and family make it to Bithynia, where he becomes involved in politics with Mithridates and Nicomedia.
Marcus Livius Drusus dreams of ‘a general enfranchisement for the whole of Italy’; Quintus Poppaedius Silo, an Italian, dreams of Italian ‘secession from Rome’.
Drusus is determined to get his law passed emancipating the Italians. Their spokesperson thwarted and murdered, leaders of 14 Italian peoples decide to use threat of war. The early victories in the Social War go to the Italians, giving Rome a fright. Though Rome eventually wins, the Italians win their citizenship.
The story follows the lives of Young Caesar and Young Marius. Young Caesar attends upon Marius after his second stroke. Caesar pulls Marius back into politics, and Marius begins to train him. Young Marius kills Lucius Cato the Consul in a mutiny, which saves a battle. Sulla is awarded by his men a Grass Crown. Sulla massacres Aeclanum.
Despite his infirmity, Rome wants Marius at the helm against Mithridates, and Sulla is told to hand over his legions. Instead, he invades Rome. But the troops rebel. On the run from Sulla, Marius flees and takes shelter at Cercina.
At the ludi Romanii, Lucius Cornelius Cinna makes his move to introduce laws regarding the distribution of new citizens and for the recall of 19 fugitives—including Gaius Marius. The controversy leads to the Massacre of Octavius’s Day.
The story finishes with the tale of the battle between Cinna and Gnaeus Octavius Ruso and the deadly rivalry between Marius’s faction and Sulla’s.
The scope of this novel, encompassing the gamut of Roman history, both political and personal, during the 1st century BCE, means learning a lot of complicated Roman names, more so than Book One, which was mostly Marius and Sulla. It takes you through the Senate meetings, the patricians’ dinners, the war strategy and the battlefields as if you were there yourself.

Book 1 (First Man of Rome) ended on such a high note in the friendship of Marius and Sulla that I was actually hesitant to read this next novel, but I'm very glad I did.

There's definitely more warfare in this one, lots of people dying, being assassined, sucides, etc. But it's all done very well. Towards the end (I don't want to spoil it too much), I actually felt a little heartbroken and misty-eyed for Rome.

I'm on to reading the third book now (Fortune's Favorites). McCullough, the author, worked to make each book able to "stand alone" and while I felt I *could* walk away from the series at the end of Book 1, the end of Book 2 had me completely *compelled* to start Book 3 immediately. Off I go now!

This is the second in the Masters of Rome series, covering the period from 99 BC to 86 BC. In the main, it's the story of the rise of Sulla and the eventual fall of Marius. Some truly awful things happened in this period - the Social War between Rome and the Italians, Mithridates' having all Romans and Italians living in Asia Minor killed on the same day, Sulla's legions marching on Rome, and Marius running amok once he regains power. McCullough lays it all out in exquisite detail, letting us get to know so many fascinating characters.

I was a horrible classics student. I barely read the books and I couldn't remember the dates or names of anything other than the obvious characters and events. But I could remember fun details and things that were amusing to me. Killing someone by pouring molten gold down their throat is one of those things.

So when Mithridiates tells a consul (who knows what his name was, SEE? SEE?!) "you'll get your precious gold," I squealed "OH SHIT!" clapped my hands with glee, and giggled for the rest of the scene.

There might be something seriously wrong with my psychology. But when I told Patty, the one who lent me the book, all this, she just said "psh, that's why we're friends." So I might be psychotic but I'm not alone.

I still like Sulla. Even though he murders people because he gets bored.

And I'm glad he didn't get killed (yet) because I still want more. Yes, even though he broke up with Metrobius.

So much happens in this book, which is good since it's a thousand fucking pages, but it's odd to look back on things that happened and realize they're all in the same book. They seemed to happen so long ago.

But, luckily, there were more characters to care about, so I wasn't bored for their storylines. It was upsetting in the middle, when all the good people started to die but my Sulla remained so I soldiered on.

L'inizio della fine

Il secondo volume della saga I signori di Roma, che racconta in sette libri le ultime vicende della Roma repubblicana fino all'avvento di Augusto, mostra al lettore gli ultimi scorci di pace prima del divampare della guerra civile tra Mario e Silla.
Silla ha ormai avviato la sua carriera politica, ma non riesce a ottenere i risultati a cui la sua ambizione aspirava. In particolare, non è ancora riuscito a conseguire una grande vittoria militare che gli permetta di acquisire abbastanza fama da essere eletto console. La parabola del successo di Mario, invece, è ormai in fase discendente. O almeno così sembra: dopo le due straordinarie vittorie contro i Germani, il titolo di Terzo Fondatore di Roma e il consolato per ben sei volte, secondo alcuni è troppo anziano e malato per poter avere ancora un posto di rilievo a Roma. Lui, però, non la pensa così: la profetessa siriaca che un giorno gli ha predetto il suo destino ha garantito che sarà console per sette volte e che solo un uomo sarà più grande di lui, un Giulio appartenente alla famiglia di sua moglie che per ora è solo un bambino. Mario è convinto di poter governare ancora ed è pronto a spazzare via chi glielo impedirà.
Nel frattempo si aggrava la questione degli Italici, alleati di Roma e abitanti della penisola, che chiedono la cittadinanza romana in modo sempre più aggressivo e determinato, mentre a est c'è l'ambizioso Mitridate, re del Ponto, che ha invaso i regni vicini e minaccia gli interessi di Roma. Si profilano quindi all'orizzonte due guerre e per Silla è l'occasione di brillare per la prima volta, per Mario l'ultima opportunità di brillare ancora.
Lo scontro è inevitabile e per la repubblica è l'inizio della fine. Non a caso molti storici collocano il vero inizio delle guerre civili nel momento in cui Silla entra a Roma con il proprio esercito per rivendicare il potere contro Mario. È l'inizio di un processo irreversibile nel quale le regole e i limiti secolari posti a guardia della repubblica sono travalicati. Le magistrature durano più di quanto dovrebbero e i consoli vengono deposti senza ragione. Le legioni sono pagate dai generali, perché Roma, impoverita dalla guerra sociale, non può più farlo, e diventano eserciti personali fedeli ai loro comandanti e non allo stato. La vendetta privata soppianta la giustizia e il sangue romano, versato da mani romane, scorre a fiumi per le strade dell'urbe, trasformata in un campo di battaglia. Come già nel primo volume della saga, Colleen Mccullough racconta un momento delicato e ricco di eventi della storia romana con eccezionale maestria, coniugando la capacità di documentazione di una saggista con l'abilità narrativa di una grande scrittrice. Il racconto sa essere sempre piacevole e appassionante, che descriva un viaggio in Oriente, una battaglia, una seduta del Senato o la vita quotidiana dei protagonisti. Colpiscono in questo romanzo soprattutto il lento evolversi del rapporto tra Mario e Silla, che diventa sempre più freddo e ostile a mano a mano che essi si rendono conto che non c'è spazio per due soli nel cielo di Roma, e l'emergere della figura di Caio Giulio Cesare. Nei Giorni della gloria è ancora solo un bambino e poi un ragazzino che inizia appena a capire i meccanismi della vita e della politica, ma è già un personaggio straordinario, con la sua intelligenza e il suo carisma. L'ultima riga del romanzo non è né per Silla né per Mario, ma per lui, futuro protagonista di una saga che promette di diventare sempre più interessante.

My first re-read in probably more than a decade, but still intense and formidable. While some parts are very difficult to keep track of (especially battle movements with multiple Roman-led factions not by principle characters etc) the heft of it remains incredibly, dramatically compelling, driven largely by the sociopathic-but-good-at-hiding-it Sulla and the ruins of the great man, Marius, with a generous dollop of foresight into the future Julius Ceaser as well. Few other series make legislating and court battles exciting - though few other series marry it with murder, civil war and other intrigues quite as well.