Emperor. The Gates of Rome

"Words like 'brilliant,' 'sumptuous' and 'enchanting' jostle to be used, but scarcely convey the way Iggulden brings the tale to life." -Los Angeles Times
Sweeping us into a realm of tyrants and slaves, of dark intrigues and seething passions. Conn Iggulden brings us a magnificent novel of ancient Rome-and of the early years of a man who would become the most powerful ruler on earth.
EMPEROR: THE GATES OF ROME
ln a city of grandeur and decadence, beauty and bloodshed, two boys, best friends, dream of glory in service of the mightiest empire the world has ever known. One is the son of a senator. The other is a bastard child. As Gaius and Marcus grow to manhood, they are trained in the art of combat by one of Rome's most fearsome gladiators. For .Marcus, a bloody campaign in Greece will become a young soldier's proving ground. For Gaius, the equally deadly infighting of the Roman Senate will be his battlefield. And for both, the love of an extraordinary slave girl will be an honor each will covet but only one will win. But as Rome is thrust into the grip of bitter conflict, Gaius and Marcus's friendship will be put to the ultimate test....
"What Robert Graves did for Claudius, Conn Iggulden now does for the most famous Roman Emperor of them all...." -William Bernhardt, author of Criminal Intent