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- Referencenod to comics or other movies
- Cameoa familiar face shows up
- Setupplanted now, pays off later
- Behind the scenesproduction trivia
- 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 ↗ - 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 ↗ - 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 ↗ - 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.
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- Behind the scenesSkeleton and flesh
Iggulden sums up his method: "We have a skeleton, and I have added the flesh." He mixes heavy reading of ancient sources with invented detail and draws on his own life for scenes, including a pub brawl and a bungee jump.
source ↗ - ReferenceReal history at the back
The book ends with an author's note explaining what he changed from history and why. Then comes a list of nonfiction books for readers who want the real version.
source ↗ - Behind the scenesA shortened war
Readers point out that Mithridates' revolt lasted about ten years in real history. In the novel, it is wrapped up in a few weeks. Even so, Library Journal called the book "broadly accurate."
source ↗ - Behind the scenesThe movie that never came
In 2010, Exclusive Media announced Emperor: Young Caesar, based on the first two books, with Burr Steers directing from a script by William Broyles and Stephen Harrigan. The movie was never released.
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- 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.
source ↗ - 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.
source ↗ - 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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- Behind the scenesMeant to be the last
In 2006, the book came out as the fourth and final volume of the Caesar series. Seven years later, Iggulden returned with a fifth.
source ↗ - ReferenceAll for one look
Early in the series, Iggulden said he wanted to give the famous "et tu, Brute" moment real weight, "so that we know what it means when they look at each other." That is why their friendship runs back to book one.
source ↗ - Behind the scenesLiberties with history
Publishers Weekly praised the plotting and action but warned that the novel takes considerable liberties with the historical record. It humanizes Caesar, brutal in war and tender at home.
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- Behind the scenesBack seven years later
The series had wrapped in 2006. The Blood of Gods came out on September 26, 2013, and shifts the focus to Octavian, the future emperor Augustus.
source ↗ - Behind the scenesCornwell's envy
Bernard Cornwell praised it: "A brilliant story – I wish I'd written it." The Sunday Times called it "the best book in the series."
source ↗ - ReferenceChanged names
As in the other books, Iggulden closes with notes explaining the names he changed and the scenes he invented. Read them after the last chapter.
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