The Gates of Rome

Gaius, from a noble family, grows up on an estate near Rome with Marcus, raised as his brother. His father hires Renius, an unbeaten former gladiator, to train them so harshly that Gaius nearly dies and is saved by the healer Cabera. A slave revolt reaches the estate, and Gaius's father is killed defending it. Gaius takes the name Julius and lives under the protection of his uncle, the consul Marius, while Marcus joins a legion in the east. Julius marries Cornelia. Marius's rival Sulla returns victorious, marches on Rome and defeats Marius by attacking from the rear. Tied to Marius, Julius should be executed, but Sulla spares him and sends him far from Rome.

1. Behind the scenesBorn from a textbook

   Iggulden was an English teacher. Covering a colleague's class, he read a passage about Caesar in a history textbook. "I knew none of the stories from when he was a child," he said. Two years later, the novel was done.

   source ↗
2. Behind the scenesA five-publisher bidding war

   Before this book, Iggulden had several novels rejected. The manuscript of The Gates of Rome set off a bidding war among five major publishers. He left teaching to write.

   source ↗
3. Behind the scenesFor Gladiator fans

   The UK paperback carried a Sunday Times line on the cover: "If you liked Gladiator you'll love Emperor." The book reached No. 2 on the paper's bestseller list.

   source ↗
4. ReferenceInvented childhood friends

   In the book, Caesar is an only child who grows up with Marcus like a brother. Critics point out that the historical Brutus was born about 15 years after Caesar. Iggulden says the dates are uncertain and explains his choices in a historical note at the end.

   source ↗