The First Man in Rome

First book of McCullough’s Masters of Rome series which covers the end of the republic from Marius to Antony, 110 BC to the Battle of Actium in 31 and Octavian’s assumption of the title Augustus in 27.

First class research, first class recreation of an alien culture.

I think she must have taken some of her insights into her upper-class political characters from Victoriana. They come across as very real people. The politics and battles are stirring, there is a little low humor and some genuinely funny scenes. The writing is vivid.