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Book Summary and Reviews of The Triumph of Caesar by Steven Saylor

The Triumph of Caesar by Steven Saylor

The Triumph of Caesar

A Novel of Ancient Rome

by Steven Saylor

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  • May 2008, 320 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

The Roman civil war has come to its conclusion – Pompey is dead, Egypt is firmly under the control of Cleopatra (with the help of Rome’s legions), and for the first time in many years Julius Caesar has returned to Rome itself. Appointed by the Senate as Dictator, the city abounds with rumors asserting that Caesar wishes to be made King – the first such that Rome has had in centuries. And that not all of his opposition has been crushed.

Gordianus, recently returned from Egypt with his wife Bethesda, is essentially retired from his previous profession of ‘Finder’ but even he cannot refuse the call of Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife. Troubled by dreams foretelling disaster and fearing a conspiracy against the life of Caesar, she had hired someone to investigate the rumors. But that person, a close friend of Gordianus, has just turned up dead – murdered -- on her doorstep. With four successive Triumphs for Caesar’s military victories scheduled for the coming days, and Caesar more exposed to danger than ever before, Calpurnia wants Gordianus to uncover the truth behind the rumored conspiracies -- to protect Caesar’s life, before it is too late. No fan of Caesar’s, Gordianus agrees to help – but only to find the murderer who killed his friend. But once an investigation is begun, there's no controlling what it will turn up, who it will put in danger, and where it will end.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Starred Review. The convincing backdrop of daily life in ancient Rome helps make this compelling whodunit a triumph." - Publishers Weekly.

"Gordianus doesn't distinguish himself as a detective, and readers possessed of historical hindsight will easily eliminate most of the high-profile suspects. Still, no contemporary novelist approaches Saylor's continued ability to bring ancient Rome to life." - Kirkus Reviews.

This information about The Triumph of Caesar was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

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MN

starwarsmatt18@gmail.com
It was a perfectly well described piece of literature about Rome by Steven Saylor. It made me felt that I was in the book. 5/5, 10/10, or whatever you call it. I loved the book. Made me feel sad when I returned it.

YC

Loved it!
Great book. It takes you from the very beginnings of Rome to the time of the first Emperor. The amazing thing is that the history of the city is all tied to one special amulet that is passed on from one generation to another. As the amulet changes hands, so does the city of Rome, going from one leader or form of government to another. Awesome book! It keeps you captivated from beginning to end. I love Steven Saylor's books!

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Author Information

Steven Saylor Author Biography

Photo: Jerry Bauer

Steven Saylor is the author of the long running Roma Sub Rosa series featuring Gordianus the Finder, as well as the New York Times bestselling novel, Roma. He has appeared as an on-air expert on Roman history and life on The History Channel. Saylor was born in Texas and graduated with high honors from The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied history and classics. He divides his time between Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas.

Link to Steven Saylor's Website

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