The Field of Swords

Julius spends four profitable years in Hispania with the Tenth Legion, dreaming of matching Alexander the Great, and finds gold. He sails home with Brutus, now his trusted general, loaded with plunder. He allies with Pompey, a popular military leader, and the wealthy Crassus, and with their backing is elected consul. He wins command of an expedition to Gaul, with full power to take spoils and govern the conquered lands for Rome. The war is long: a bold campaign in Britain delays his victory over Vercingetorix. In the end, Julius learns that Pompey plans to have him killed, and he, Brutus and Mark Antony prepare to march on Rome.

1. Behind the scenesThe borrowed horses

   Suetonius says Caesar borrowed horses to mount a legion for a meeting with a German leader. Iggulden filled the gap by picturing foot soldiers falling off their horses on a 40-kilometer ride.

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2. ReferenceThird of four

   When it came out in 2005, the book was billed as the third of four volumes about Caesar. The series would later gain a fifth book.

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3. Behind the scenesCritics liked the pace

   Publishers Weekly said Iggulden "blasts full steam ahead, with blistering battle scenes." Kirkus found it less psychologically sophisticated than the classics of Roman fiction, but "a pleasure."

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