Caesar's Women
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| Caesar's Women | |
| Author | Colleen McCullough |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher | Avon |
| Publication date | 1996 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | 978-0380710843 |
| Preceded by | Fortune's Favourites |
| Followed by | Caesar |
Caesar's Women is the fourth historical novel in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series, published on 21 March 1996.
[edit] Plot summary
The novel is set during a ten-year interval, from 68-58 BC, which Julius Caesar spent mainly in Rome, climbing the political ladder and outmanoeuvering his many enemies. It opens with Caesar returning early from his quaestorship in Spain, and closes with his epochal departure for the Gallic campaigns.
Some of the pivotal moments include: Caesar's marriage to Pompeia; his curule aedileship; his narrow election as Pontifex Maximus in 63 BC; his praetorship in 62 BC; his divorce from Pompeia; his governorship of Further Spain; the first time he was hailed imperator on the field by his troops (for which success he could have secured a triumphal parade, but was blocked from doing so by Marcus Porcius Cato); the creation of the First Triumvirate, which Caesar formed with Marcus Licinius Crassus and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus in 60 BC; his betrothal of his daughter Julia to Pompey; his marriage to Calpurnia; and his first consulship, in 59 BC.
Despite the title, very little of the action has to do with the women in Caesar's life. Certainly, his divorce and re-marriage come into play, as does his daughter's marriage, his lengthy affair with Servilia and his close relationship with his mother, Aurelia. However, most of the plot is concerned with the political struggles of Caesar's rise to power, his conflict with the conservative 'boni' faction, and his election to each post on the Roman ladder of government.
[edit] References
- McCullough, Colleen (1997-02-01). Caesar's Women. Avon. ISBN 978-0380710843.
