The Grass Crown (novel)

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The Grass Crown is the second book in the Masters of Rome series by author Colleen McCullough. This novel centres on the Social War as well as Sulla's first march on Rome and Gaius Marius' seventh consulship. The novel also features the rise to power of both Mithridates VI of Pontus and Tigranes II of Armenia, along with the childhood of Julius Caesar and Cato the Younger, as well as following Pompey and Cicero as young adults and their contributions in the Social War.

The title "Grass Crown" refers to the corona graminea, the rarest and highest Roman military decorations. This was only awarded to a general or commander who broke the blockade of a beleaguered Roman army, or otherwise saved an entire legion or army from certain destruction. Sulla won this decoration for his actions during the Social War in a Battle around Nola.