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Rufus #1
Caligula: The Tyranny of Rome
Perfect for fans of Robert Harris, Conn Iggulden and Simon Scarrow, a riveting thriller set in Ancient Rome from bestselling author Douglas Jackson."...gripping Roman thriller. It's certainly well placed to take on the Simon Scarrow/Conn Iggulden audience." -- Scotland on Sunday"Fantastic read..." - ***** Reader review. ******************************************************************CAN A SLAVE DECIDE THE FATE OF AN EMPEROR?Ancient Rome. Caligula is Emperor, his reign marked by excess, ambition, decadence, cruelty, madness, sexual scandal and death.Rufus is a young slave living a world away from the Imperial court - apprentice to an animal trainer for the gladiatorial arena and friend to Cupido, one of Rome's greatest gladiators. When Rufus's skills come to the attention of Caligula, he is summoned to court to serve as keeper for the Imperial elephant - and unwittingly finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy to assassinate the Emperor...Rufus's story continues in Claudius.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
136 people are currently reading
1322 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Jackson
39 books265 followersAka James Douglas
Douglas Jackson turned a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans into his first novel, Caligula. He was born in Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders and now lives in Bridge of Allan. He is an assistant editor at The Scotsman.
Douglas Jackson turned a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans into his first novel, Caligula. He was born in Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders and now lives in Bridge of Allan. He is an assistant editor at The Scotsman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
November 18, 2021
Read this book in 2010, and its about the mad and cruel Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, aka Caligula.
This book will tell us all this Emperor's decadence, cruelty and madness, symptoms he was famous for having it in abundance.
The story itself is about Rufus, who's a slave and trainer of animals at the gladiatorial arena, where he has a friend who's called, Cupido, and who's one of Rome's greatest gladiators.
Rufus's growing reputation as a master of animals will come to the attention to Emperor Caligula, and from that moment on his fate is established when the Emperor wants him at his court and his expertise for the Imperial elephant.
What Rufus will encounter at the Imperial court is a world where the Emperor's changes of mood will dominate the court and it people, and Rufus and his friend Cupido are right in the mix of it.
While being present at court they will unwittingly be part of a plot to assassinate the Emperor, and whether the perpetrators will finally succeed or not is for you reader to find out.
What is to follow as a whole is an intriguing and thrilling Roman historical adventure, where the wiles, cruelties and madness of this Emperor Caligula are wonderful described and worked out in this exceptional tale of Roman decadence and murder.
Highly recommended, for this is an amazing great story about the mad Emperor Caligula, and that's why I like to call this great book: "A Captivating Caligula Story"!
This book will tell us all this Emperor's decadence, cruelty and madness, symptoms he was famous for having it in abundance.
The story itself is about Rufus, who's a slave and trainer of animals at the gladiatorial arena, where he has a friend who's called, Cupido, and who's one of Rome's greatest gladiators.
Rufus's growing reputation as a master of animals will come to the attention to Emperor Caligula, and from that moment on his fate is established when the Emperor wants him at his court and his expertise for the Imperial elephant.
What Rufus will encounter at the Imperial court is a world where the Emperor's changes of mood will dominate the court and it people, and Rufus and his friend Cupido are right in the mix of it.
While being present at court they will unwittingly be part of a plot to assassinate the Emperor, and whether the perpetrators will finally succeed or not is for you reader to find out.
What is to follow as a whole is an intriguing and thrilling Roman historical adventure, where the wiles, cruelties and madness of this Emperor Caligula are wonderful described and worked out in this exceptional tale of Roman decadence and murder.
Highly recommended, for this is an amazing great story about the mad Emperor Caligula, and that's why I like to call this great book: "A Captivating Caligula Story"!
July 8, 2011
A gruesome but engaging story detailing life in ancient Rome under the rule of the mad Emperor.
The main character in the story is Rufus, a slave singled out for his special ability to train various animals - a useful talent in a time when gladiatorial bouts between man and beast were a common sight in the arenas. Gradually, Rufus becomes drawn into Caligula's inner circle, while a combination of supporting characters - gladiators, traders, dwarves, slaves, spies, seductresses - are brought vividly to life.
Caligula himself is only a supporting character, but Jackson does well to capture his changeable moods and gives us a decent measure of the man. Rufus' humility makes him an engaging lead, and plot-wise, the story picks up momentum, moving from an interesting opening to finishing with a bloodthirsty, history-changing climax.
Be warned: there's some horrendous animal cruelty here, some of it occurring very early on. I can read pages of limb-lopping combat between men, but give me a poor defenceless creature being tortured and I find it hard to go on. Still, it's worth perservering, because this makes for a meaty, substantial political thriller. A sequel, CLAUDIUS, follows.
The main character in the story is Rufus, a slave singled out for his special ability to train various animals - a useful talent in a time when gladiatorial bouts between man and beast were a common sight in the arenas. Gradually, Rufus becomes drawn into Caligula's inner circle, while a combination of supporting characters - gladiators, traders, dwarves, slaves, spies, seductresses - are brought vividly to life.
Caligula himself is only a supporting character, but Jackson does well to capture his changeable moods and gives us a decent measure of the man. Rufus' humility makes him an engaging lead, and plot-wise, the story picks up momentum, moving from an interesting opening to finishing with a bloodthirsty, history-changing climax.
Be warned: there's some horrendous animal cruelty here, some of it occurring very early on. I can read pages of limb-lopping combat between men, but give me a poor defenceless creature being tortured and I find it hard to go on. Still, it's worth perservering, because this makes for a meaty, substantial political thriller. A sequel, CLAUDIUS, follows.
September 30, 2018
Caligula seems to be a mirror of what's happening in some countries right now!
A fantastic book told from the point of view of one of Caligula's slaves, with the odd insight from Caligula himself. Human life has always been cheap, but never more so than during Caligula's reign - and this book doesn't shy away from that fact. The huge body count rivals that of some of Hollywood's goriest shoot-em-up movies.
The book contains friendships, spies, wives, lovers, animals, and fallible human nature. Living during the time of the all-powerful Roman emperors was a lesson in keeping your head down, and not antagonising anyone least you be tortured for the smallest infraction - a bit like what happens when you offer an opinion on social media these days...
All-in-all, another excellent Roman Empire read. I absolutely loved the protagonist. The author has done an exceptional job.
A fantastic book told from the point of view of one of Caligula's slaves, with the odd insight from Caligula himself. Human life has always been cheap, but never more so than during Caligula's reign - and this book doesn't shy away from that fact. The huge body count rivals that of some of Hollywood's goriest shoot-em-up movies.
The book contains friendships, spies, wives, lovers, animals, and fallible human nature. Living during the time of the all-powerful Roman emperors was a lesson in keeping your head down, and not antagonising anyone least you be tortured for the smallest infraction - a bit like what happens when you offer an opinion on social media these days...
All-in-all, another excellent Roman Empire read. I absolutely loved the protagonist. The author has done an exceptional job.
January 11, 2013
Caligula by Douglas Jackson receives three stars by me. The positive aspects are that I felt that the author had thoroughly researched this topic. Jackson delivers the sheer brutality of Caligula and his torturers so vividly in his book that I was shocked and felt deeply emotional at times. I sympathized with the main characters, Rufus and Cupido and loved their relationship.It had a lot of personal growth. I did feel the plot line was bleak and miserable-too much in fact but overall this is a book I generally liked.
September 11, 2021
And I had thought that Nero was revolting. Nero didn't hold a candle to Caligula. His sections were supremely difficult to read. But at least those sections were alternated with those of Rufus. I loved this character from the Gaius Valerius Verrens series by this same author, so it was really great to revisit him.
March 31, 2021
Brutal, gripping, visceral and thrilling, this book had me in its thrall from the very first page. It’s told from the point-of-view of Rufus, a young slave turned animal trainer who catches the eye of the notorious Roman Emperor Caligula after the latter requires someone to look after his newly acquired elephant. Rufus soon finds himself caught up in the intrigues and dangers of the imperial court, a hotbed of corruption and deceit, where friends can become enemies in the blink of an eye. All of which is ruled over by an increasingly tyrannical, violent, paranoid and disturbed young emperor, a man who has gone in history as one of the most notorious and evil figures of the ancient world.
This book is incredibly well written. Douglas Jackson writes in a way that brings Ancient Rome at the time of Caligula vividly to life without overloading you with information or details. He tells you just what you need to know and that’s it. It is also very well researched. Many of the things that happen in this book are either known to have happened during Caligula’s reign or are strongly believed to have happened. Obviously some artistic license is used, this is historical fiction after all, but it does give you a good idea of what life was like under Caligula’s rule. I also liked the fact that Caligula wasn’t a central character. Most of the book is told from Rufus’s perspective, with occasional glimpses inside Caligula’s head as well. To me, it makes his decent into madness and depravity even more chilling when viewed by someone else. Two more strengths of this novel can be found in the pacing and in the characters, some of whom you love, others which you hate. I was particularly fond of Rufus, his friend Cupido, a former gladiator and Bersheba, the elephant Rufus is charged with looking after and training. And Caligula was portrayed as every bit as chilling and depraved as you would expect, yet Jackson was still able to imbue him with vulnerability and humanity, no matter how fleetingly we glimpsed it. This helped to keep Caligula grounded as a real human being, otherwise he could easily have become a pantomime villain of sorts.
As you can probably tell from this review, I really enjoyed this book and would have no hesitation in recommending it to others. A word of warning though. This book does not shy away from the brutality of Caligula’s reign and of life in Ancient Rome in general. There are some very graphic scenes to be found within its pages, including scenes of torture and animal cruelty. I have a strong stomach and a couple of scenes nearly proved too much for me. So my advice would be to steer clear of this book if you do not have a strong stomach or simply do not want to read about that kind of stuff. But for those of you who want to give this a go, a cracking, gripping page-turning tale awaits you. I am now looking forward to reading more works by this author, beginning with ‘Claudius’, the sequel to this book.
This book is incredibly well written. Douglas Jackson writes in a way that brings Ancient Rome at the time of Caligula vividly to life without overloading you with information or details. He tells you just what you need to know and that’s it. It is also very well researched. Many of the things that happen in this book are either known to have happened during Caligula’s reign or are strongly believed to have happened. Obviously some artistic license is used, this is historical fiction after all, but it does give you a good idea of what life was like under Caligula’s rule. I also liked the fact that Caligula wasn’t a central character. Most of the book is told from Rufus’s perspective, with occasional glimpses inside Caligula’s head as well. To me, it makes his decent into madness and depravity even more chilling when viewed by someone else. Two more strengths of this novel can be found in the pacing and in the characters, some of whom you love, others which you hate. I was particularly fond of Rufus, his friend Cupido, a former gladiator and Bersheba, the elephant Rufus is charged with looking after and training. And Caligula was portrayed as every bit as chilling and depraved as you would expect, yet Jackson was still able to imbue him with vulnerability and humanity, no matter how fleetingly we glimpsed it. This helped to keep Caligula grounded as a real human being, otherwise he could easily have become a pantomime villain of sorts.
As you can probably tell from this review, I really enjoyed this book and would have no hesitation in recommending it to others. A word of warning though. This book does not shy away from the brutality of Caligula’s reign and of life in Ancient Rome in general. There are some very graphic scenes to be found within its pages, including scenes of torture and animal cruelty. I have a strong stomach and a couple of scenes nearly proved too much for me. So my advice would be to steer clear of this book if you do not have a strong stomach or simply do not want to read about that kind of stuff. But for those of you who want to give this a go, a cracking, gripping page-turning tale awaits you. I am now looking forward to reading more works by this author, beginning with ‘Claudius’, the sequel to this book.
August 10, 2022
Large parts of this book are worth more than two stars, but the ending disappointed me so much I cannot rate it higher.
October 8, 2018
I am a fan of the author and his highly recommended “Of Rome” series, but for some reason it has taken me a while to read his first book, Caligula.
The story of the mad emperor is told mainly from the off stage view of a slave, Rufus. Rufus is a talented animal trainer and is forced to be the main keeper of the new emperor’s vanity project of an elephant. Rufus, along with a friend who is part of Caligula’s guard become part of the group in the satellite of an increasingly mad, fickle and dangerous individual.
It’s a no holds barred view, the gore and unpleasantness of the treatment of animals and people is laid out but also is the base for us to understand the environment of the day. Some reviewers have been critical of this, but I think they are missing the point that Rome was not a very nice place to be!
As an early book is slightly lacks the confidence of the books to follow but is a very readable and interesting perspective on Caligula and, to a degree, Claudius. Brutally authentic and well researched.
The story of the mad emperor is told mainly from the off stage view of a slave, Rufus. Rufus is a talented animal trainer and is forced to be the main keeper of the new emperor’s vanity project of an elephant. Rufus, along with a friend who is part of Caligula’s guard become part of the group in the satellite of an increasingly mad, fickle and dangerous individual.
It’s a no holds barred view, the gore and unpleasantness of the treatment of animals and people is laid out but also is the base for us to understand the environment of the day. Some reviewers have been critical of this, but I think they are missing the point that Rome was not a very nice place to be!
As an early book is slightly lacks the confidence of the books to follow but is a very readable and interesting perspective on Caligula and, to a degree, Claudius. Brutally authentic and well researched.
February 10, 2021
Un libro bastante entretenido con temática muy interesante en la época del emperador Cayo Germánico mejor conocido como Caligula.
Llama la atención la trama basada en un esclavo con talento en el trato de animales salvajes destinados para el espectáculo del coliseo y cómo se alinea con la crueldad del emperador.
Lo recomiendo para entretenimiento ya que se haya leído algo de Caligula, o para comenzar a ilustrarse acerca de este periodo de la Roma imperial
Llama la atención la trama basada en un esclavo con talento en el trato de animales salvajes destinados para el espectáculo del coliseo y cómo se alinea con la crueldad del emperador.
Lo recomiendo para entretenimiento ya que se haya leído algo de Caligula, o para comenzar a ilustrarse acerca de este periodo de la Roma imperial
March 27, 2025
Another excellent Douglas Jackson novel, which captures the lunacy and brutality of Caligula's time as Emperor very well. Personally I prefer the intrigue and politics of the books of Robert Harris rather than these swashbuckling, and sometimes implausible adventures. Nonetheless an entertaining read. Recommended.
June 10, 2022
enjoyed this story looking forward to the next one which will continue where this one left off
January 5, 2018
The story of Emperor Gaius, Mr Caligula himself, captured through the eyes of slave boy Rufus assigned as an animal keeper and elephant trainer in the Roman Arena. Douglas Jackson is able to write incredibly vivid scenes of action and suspense but somehow the overall story is a bit hollow and flat, and seemingly unrealistic I felt. The main gladiator character is almost inhuman and some of the antagonists are too extremely evil.
I do appreciate this is the author's first book and his subject choices for his follow-ups look really interesting, so looking forward to seeing how he develops in future stories.
I do appreciate this is the author's first book and his subject choices for his follow-ups look really interesting, so looking forward to seeing how he develops in future stories.
August 15, 2011
Our first meeting of Gaius in the prologue highlights the sadism prevalent in his character – even as a child. It’s times like this I wish I wasn’t so visual when reading!
The first part tells us the story of how Rufus moves from being a slave to the baker to be the slave of animal keeper Cornelius Aurius Fronto. We learn of the trust Fronto has in Rufus and how the dwindling of livestock for the arena prompts Rufus’ idea of how the animals can be used differently. It is the success of this that leads to Rufus being recognised and later being taken by Gaius to work with his elephant. We come to understand Fronto and Rufus’ father/son relationship. In the arena, we meet gladiator Cupido who is central to the plot.
I have to admit that the extreme feelings associated with the arena had me gripped. You can imagine how it is waiting to go and fight, hearing the other deaths before it’s your turn to please the Emperor in the arena! When Rufus does his first and only display with the animals, the author writes in such a way that you also feel the numbness and fear that Rufus is feeling.
Emperor Tiberius dies and so the reign of death, destruction and torture begins with Gaius as Emperor. Through Rufus, we become involved in court intrigue, scandal and the plotting of the different factions. In some places, the violence is graphic but I have to admit gripping! There is loss and heartache. Surprisingly, there is also love …………. love between a man and a woman but also love between friends.
I enjoyed walking the narrow streets of Rome again, browsing through the different wares the booths were selling and seeing the great architecture. I didn’t enjoy the smell of blood or decomposing bodies quite so much ……….. but they’re such an integral part of Caligula that it’s all part of the adventure!
There is a lot of historical fact included in Caligula. It follows quite closely to what we know from historical records (see Wikipedia for more information on Caligula).
At no point while reading was I bored. In fact I was so caught up in this journey that I was loathe to put the book down. Caligula has taken me on a trip to the past and involved me in lives that became real to me. It has made me confront the dark shadows that are inherent in all of us. I hesitantly turned the pages towards the end (even though I wanted to know what would happen!) because I just didn’t want it to end.
Buy it but be loathe to share it - it's a keeper!
The first part tells us the story of how Rufus moves from being a slave to the baker to be the slave of animal keeper Cornelius Aurius Fronto. We learn of the trust Fronto has in Rufus and how the dwindling of livestock for the arena prompts Rufus’ idea of how the animals can be used differently. It is the success of this that leads to Rufus being recognised and later being taken by Gaius to work with his elephant. We come to understand Fronto and Rufus’ father/son relationship. In the arena, we meet gladiator Cupido who is central to the plot.
I have to admit that the extreme feelings associated with the arena had me gripped. You can imagine how it is waiting to go and fight, hearing the other deaths before it’s your turn to please the Emperor in the arena! When Rufus does his first and only display with the animals, the author writes in such a way that you also feel the numbness and fear that Rufus is feeling.
Emperor Tiberius dies and so the reign of death, destruction and torture begins with Gaius as Emperor. Through Rufus, we become involved in court intrigue, scandal and the plotting of the different factions. In some places, the violence is graphic but I have to admit gripping! There is loss and heartache. Surprisingly, there is also love …………. love between a man and a woman but also love between friends.
I enjoyed walking the narrow streets of Rome again, browsing through the different wares the booths were selling and seeing the great architecture. I didn’t enjoy the smell of blood or decomposing bodies quite so much ……….. but they’re such an integral part of Caligula that it’s all part of the adventure!
There is a lot of historical fact included in Caligula. It follows quite closely to what we know from historical records (see Wikipedia for more information on Caligula).
At no point while reading was I bored. In fact I was so caught up in this journey that I was loathe to put the book down. Caligula has taken me on a trip to the past and involved me in lives that became real to me. It has made me confront the dark shadows that are inherent in all of us. I hesitantly turned the pages towards the end (even though I wanted to know what would happen!) because I just didn’t want it to end.
Buy it but be loathe to share it - it's a keeper!
January 25, 2022
I read his “Claudius” first and enjoyed the story of Rufus and his elephant. This is the prequel as it were to that, and reading it after “Claudius” maybe added to its interest rather than the opposite.
From life as a baker’s boy, Rufus the slaves’ fortunes take him to an animal trader for whom he trains the animals used and butchered in the arena for the entertainment of the Roman masses at the instigation of the Emperor Caligula, before being bought by Caligula to tend and care for his elephant. A job he is so well suited to he becomes more and more in the imperial eye, until he is invited to Caligula’s little social gatherings where he comes across the other powerful citizens of Rome and sees their relationship to the emperor.
He is a slave, and suddenly a very high profile one. He sees the emperor’s uncle, Claudius at close terms and is approached by his adviser to act as the ears and eyes of the enigmatic spy.
The fates have made him a friend in the shape of Cupido, the best gladiator of his time, becoming the German fighter’s best friend and right hand.
Rufus’s adventures are many and varied as he responds to the demands put upon him by one set of conspirators or their rivals, all concerned in one way or another with their own ambitions and those of the empire.
The emperor even goes to the lengths of marrying off the elephant trainer to a slave woman, so much does Caligula feature in Rufus’s life.
The story seems a bit far fetched, if you stop and think of that in terms of cold hard realism, but the author helps us suspend our disbelief enough for us to go willingly along with the plot as it swerves through the cesspit that is imperial Rome in the time of Caligula.
The book’s success for me is not in the historical facts of this celebrated madman’s rule, but in the small things that highlight Rufus and Cupido’s daily lives and the way they impact on that shady history, while they try to keep their noses clean and live as peacefully as possible, as if such a thing was an option for imperial slaves.
From life as a baker’s boy, Rufus the slaves’ fortunes take him to an animal trader for whom he trains the animals used and butchered in the arena for the entertainment of the Roman masses at the instigation of the Emperor Caligula, before being bought by Caligula to tend and care for his elephant. A job he is so well suited to he becomes more and more in the imperial eye, until he is invited to Caligula’s little social gatherings where he comes across the other powerful citizens of Rome and sees their relationship to the emperor.
He is a slave, and suddenly a very high profile one. He sees the emperor’s uncle, Claudius at close terms and is approached by his adviser to act as the ears and eyes of the enigmatic spy.
The fates have made him a friend in the shape of Cupido, the best gladiator of his time, becoming the German fighter’s best friend and right hand.
Rufus’s adventures are many and varied as he responds to the demands put upon him by one set of conspirators or their rivals, all concerned in one way or another with their own ambitions and those of the empire.
The emperor even goes to the lengths of marrying off the elephant trainer to a slave woman, so much does Caligula feature in Rufus’s life.
The story seems a bit far fetched, if you stop and think of that in terms of cold hard realism, but the author helps us suspend our disbelief enough for us to go willingly along with the plot as it swerves through the cesspit that is imperial Rome in the time of Caligula.
The book’s success for me is not in the historical facts of this celebrated madman’s rule, but in the small things that highlight Rufus and Cupido’s daily lives and the way they impact on that shady history, while they try to keep their noses clean and live as peacefully as possible, as if such a thing was an option for imperial slaves.
November 26, 2012
I wavered between a 3 and 4 star rating on this one so think of it as a 3.5.
The story was an interesting idea-a view of the Emperor Caligula and his family through the eyes of a slave.
I liked the character of Rufus and thought the relationship he had with Fronto and Cupido was well written. I also liked how his relationship with his wife played out and thought it was fairly realistic.
I liked the way Jackson chose to develop Caligula and Claudius as characters and how Rufus was able to observe them.
I think the main things that made me not quite go for a 4 star or higher is that at times the story read a little slowly. Sometimes it felt like there wasn't enough action.
Also, while Rufus commented on the fear and terror many in the household and Rome lived under with Caligula as Emperor, sometimes it felt like Rufus had a lot of freedom to do some things that IMO just didn't ring true for his position as slave. At times that tension was written into the book, but at other times it just didn't feel like it rang true and Rufus did some things that would clearly get him killed.
I did enjoy this story enough to want to read the second book in the series Claudius and in some ways this story interests me more, because I liked the way Jackson wrote him as essentially playing the idiot for some people, but really being of sound mind, quite clever, and just as prone to intrigue.
The story was an interesting idea-a view of the Emperor Caligula and his family through the eyes of a slave.
I liked the character of Rufus and thought the relationship he had with Fronto and Cupido was well written. I also liked how his relationship with his wife played out and thought it was fairly realistic.
I liked the way Jackson chose to develop Caligula and Claudius as characters and how Rufus was able to observe them.
I think the main things that made me not quite go for a 4 star or higher is that at times the story read a little slowly. Sometimes it felt like there wasn't enough action.
Also, while Rufus commented on the fear and terror many in the household and Rome lived under with Caligula as Emperor, sometimes it felt like Rufus had a lot of freedom to do some things that IMO just didn't ring true for his position as slave. At times that tension was written into the book, but at other times it just didn't feel like it rang true and Rufus did some things that would clearly get him killed.
I did enjoy this story enough to want to read the second book in the series Claudius and in some ways this story interests me more, because I liked the way Jackson wrote him as essentially playing the idiot for some people, but really being of sound mind, quite clever, and just as prone to intrigue.
November 15, 2010
I finished this a couple of weeks ago but never got around to reviewing. This is a good page-turner, a good late night book where you don't want to think too much. Jackson was an unknown author to me, but the subject sounded interesting, so I gave it a go.
The story focuses on a young slave, Rufus, who has just been bought by an animal trainer for the games. He soon excels in his work and comes to the attention of the Emperor Caligula. The violently unpredictable Emperor soon commands him to train his prize animal, an elephant. It doesn't take long for Rufus to become embroiled in the intrigues of the highest level of the Empire. With his friend in the Praetorian Guard, he is pulled into several plots against the Emperor while still trying to remain loyal to him, if only to preserve his own skin.
The majority of the characters were engaging, including Rufus, Caligula, and Claudius, bringing in a realistic interpretation of how, especially, the historical characters might have been. Caligula particularly was show to be the barbarically cruel ruler that history has painted him, and also at times, sympathetic and vulnerable. However, it was not well researched and I found several instances of history!fail, just to make the plot work. Also, I noticed more than a few editing oversights and other print errors.
The story focuses on a young slave, Rufus, who has just been bought by an animal trainer for the games. He soon excels in his work and comes to the attention of the Emperor Caligula. The violently unpredictable Emperor soon commands him to train his prize animal, an elephant. It doesn't take long for Rufus to become embroiled in the intrigues of the highest level of the Empire. With his friend in the Praetorian Guard, he is pulled into several plots against the Emperor while still trying to remain loyal to him, if only to preserve his own skin.
The majority of the characters were engaging, including Rufus, Caligula, and Claudius, bringing in a realistic interpretation of how, especially, the historical characters might have been. Caligula particularly was show to be the barbarically cruel ruler that history has painted him, and also at times, sympathetic and vulnerable. However, it was not well researched and I found several instances of history!fail, just to make the plot work. Also, I noticed more than a few editing oversights and other print errors.
January 14, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I spend a lot of time with my mind in history, from college classes to books to television, it's one of my favorite things to lose myself in. In all of that I never fail to cringe and grimace when Caligula comes up. I've gone into a full cheer reading historical accounts of his demise. He's like the character of history you're meant to hate, in a very real and scary way.
With all that said, I was anxious (in an excited and nervous way) to spend some fictional time in his company. The story's focus isn't just about him, which is clear once you're into the book a bit, but it is what got me interested. I loved the character we followed through all this, it gave me someone to care about and latch onto when faced with this specific time period and all Caligula had to do with it. When we did face that dreaded character, we did so while nervously holding hands. I felt that the story captured the fear and uncertainty of Caligula very well, and that the author tweaked enough so that I was still on edge even after being educated on the outcome of it all. I'm a big fan of historical fiction and from the arena to the courtyards this didn't disappoint me.
With all that said, I was anxious (in an excited and nervous way) to spend some fictional time in his company. The story's focus isn't just about him, which is clear once you're into the book a bit, but it is what got me interested. I loved the character we followed through all this, it gave me someone to care about and latch onto when faced with this specific time period and all Caligula had to do with it. When we did face that dreaded character, we did so while nervously holding hands. I felt that the story captured the fear and uncertainty of Caligula very well, and that the author tweaked enough so that I was still on edge even after being educated on the outcome of it all. I'm a big fan of historical fiction and from the arena to the courtyards this didn't disappoint me.
August 17, 2014
It's probably a little harsh rating this only two stars out of five but bear with me.
While on the surface it's a good read and an interesting read, there isn't a great deal of depth to it. It feels almost like a standard fare average Hollywood movie rather than something that ensnares you with it's intrigue or dazzles you with it's rich historic detail, especially as there's precious little of the latter at all.
Overall it's a pleasant, easy read, just a little hollow. You won't empathise with any of the characters or particularly be gripped by the lukewarm pace of the action. For a plot that relies quite heavily on intrigue, it's here where it falls shortest. I can't quite put my finger on it but the twists and turns don't really get your synapses firing.
Probably would have made a nice one-hour special for a TV drama, something to turn on and leave in the background while you get on with something else. As a book it's nowhere near the standard quality of historical fiction I'm used to.
Kind of like Port Vale or to the Evertons or Tottenham Hotspurs of the genre.
While on the surface it's a good read and an interesting read, there isn't a great deal of depth to it. It feels almost like a standard fare average Hollywood movie rather than something that ensnares you with it's intrigue or dazzles you with it's rich historic detail, especially as there's precious little of the latter at all.
Overall it's a pleasant, easy read, just a little hollow. You won't empathise with any of the characters or particularly be gripped by the lukewarm pace of the action. For a plot that relies quite heavily on intrigue, it's here where it falls shortest. I can't quite put my finger on it but the twists and turns don't really get your synapses firing.
Probably would have made a nice one-hour special for a TV drama, something to turn on and leave in the background while you get on with something else. As a book it's nowhere near the standard quality of historical fiction I'm used to.
Kind of like Port Vale or to the Evertons or Tottenham Hotspurs of the genre.
February 2, 2013
Douglas crea una obra de ficción histórica ambientada en la Roma antigua, poco a poco y conforme avanzas en la trama, Jackson profundiza de manera obscura en este thriller donde se cuenta de manera visceral la vida de Rufo, un esclavo que tras diversas circunstancias y debido a su talento con los animales, llega a ser el cuidador del elefante del emperador.
A pesar de las circunstancias y las desafortunadas experiencias, el habilidoso protagonista llega a conocer a gente que llegará a apreciar mucho y con las que vivirá impactantes experiencias.
El autor nos conduce hacia un mundo demencial por medio de su delirante narrativa, desarrollando su argumento de género épico un poco lento en un principio para identificarnos con el protagonista para que, en las páginas finales te sorprenda con mucha acción y escandalosos detalles.
Douglas Jackson logra crear un majestuoso entorno que el lector podrá apreciar a través de sus páginas ya que posee una gran capacidad descriptiva con gran calidad de detalle que sin duda disfrutarás.
A pesar de las circunstancias y las desafortunadas experiencias, el habilidoso protagonista llega a conocer a gente que llegará a apreciar mucho y con las que vivirá impactantes experiencias.
El autor nos conduce hacia un mundo demencial por medio de su delirante narrativa, desarrollando su argumento de género épico un poco lento en un principio para identificarnos con el protagonista para que, en las páginas finales te sorprenda con mucha acción y escandalosos detalles.
Douglas Jackson logra crear un majestuoso entorno que el lector podrá apreciar a través de sus páginas ya que posee una gran capacidad descriptiva con gran calidad de detalle que sin duda disfrutarás.
November 1, 2013
I give Caligula four stars, but do so begrudgingly. Even though I’m a male in his twenties, the amount of cruelty and gore shocked me. Starting with the Prologue I was alarmed. In it the boy Caligula stumbles across a bird’s nest with four recently hatched chicks, still featherless and pink. He promptly takes a thorn from a bush and sticks it into the eyes of each in turn, noting how one squirms, one tries to cry, one just curls into a ball and dies. And that is the opening scene! Too much for his guy, and I don’t think I’m a squeamish or girlie guy. Then later, there’s the bit about a clogged sewer.
I liked the compassion for the animals, and Bersheba, an elephant, is a delight. More than that, she’s a sweetheart. Rufus, the central character is likeable, making the best out of difficult situations. His friendship with the gladiator, Cupido, rings true. It’s a fast read, and I’m glad I read it, but in all honesty, with such emphasis on Caligula’s sadism and cruelty, it left me feeling dirty. Four stars for those with a really strong stomach.
I liked the compassion for the animals, and Bersheba, an elephant, is a delight. More than that, she’s a sweetheart. Rufus, the central character is likeable, making the best out of difficult situations. His friendship with the gladiator, Cupido, rings true. It’s a fast read, and I’m glad I read it, but in all honesty, with such emphasis on Caligula’s sadism and cruelty, it left me feeling dirty. Four stars for those with a really strong stomach.
December 19, 2025
Really nice and interesting book. The style of writing is pleasant and not too complicated, some could even call it too easy but I don't think that really matters. I really like the references t0 history especially when it comes to Caligula himself and his family. Some time ago I read Caligula by Simon Turney and could feel real connection there in spite of the completely different views on the events.
Douglas Jackson did a great job showing us this history from different points of views and at the same time highlighting Rufus's role as a main character. I especially like parts when we could get a closer look on Caligula's mind.
Main characters: Rufus, Kupido, Emilia, Frosto, Caligula, Livia, Drussila, Nerssicius, Claudius, Cherea
Douglas Jackson did a great job showing us this history from different points of views and at the same time highlighting Rufus's role as a main character. I especially like parts when we could get a closer look on Caligula's mind.
Main characters: Rufus, Kupido, Emilia, Frosto, Caligula, Livia, Drussila, Nerssicius, Claudius, Cherea
March 6, 2014
More Period Piece than true historical fiction, and as can be imagined, it is rather gorey so not for the squeamish.
The reviewy type thing starts now: It is as if Douglas Jackson watchd the sublime 'I Claudius' on BBC2 back in the day and decided that he could write a story from the rhubarb chunterers* POV.
*Whereby extras/crowd fillers on the stage, who have to look like they are talking and are told to say 'cabbage' and 'rhubarb' to fool the audience.
Got to the end but it was far too close to the Graves rendition to be comfortable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2011
Brilliant. Looking forward to more of Rufus et al.
June 16, 2014
Great debut novel. The author's tribute, at the rear of the book, led me to YouWriteOn the peer review site that helped me hone my own writing.
November 12, 2014
The barbaric side of Rome for pleasure!
June 15, 2021
Superb read already on book two, Claudius, thoroughly recommend
July 12, 2023
3,5 stele.
Un roman de debut destul de convingător, ce surprinde perioada de "trei ani, zece luni și opt zile" în care Caligula, sau mai corect spus, Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, a fost conducătorul Imperiului Roman. Cel de-al treilea împărat roman a rămas în istorie și în conștiința publică datorită, pe de o parte, ambiției sale nemăsurate, proclamându-se pe sine zeu, pe sora sa, Drusilla, ca având originii divine, iar pe propriul său cal, Incitatus, a intenționat să-l numească consul, dar și cruzimii ieșite din comun, fiind descris de istoricii drept un dement obsedat de conspirații la adresa sa. Iată cum este descrisă pasiunea tânărului împărat pentru spectacolele cu gladiatori: "Cu Gaius nu mai este decât sânge – sânge adevărat. Aruncă infirmi și bătrâni împotriva celor mai faimoși gladiatori din Roma și râde la vederea măcelului. Trimite cavaleri romani din cele mai nobile familii – care nu ar ridica niciodată sabia cu mânie – împotriva celor mai bune echipe ale sale de luptători și râde de ei în timp ce mor. Arena nu a mai văzut un asemenea carnagiu din zilele lui Cezar".
Însă nu Caligula este eroul central al acestui roman, ci un sclav, Rufus, a cărui ocupație este aceea de a dresa animalele sălbatice, înainte ca acestea să participe la luptele din arenă. Talentul special al lui Rufus de a interacționa cu animalele îi va determina pe apropiații împăratului să-l recomande acestuia pe Rufus pentru a se ocupa cu îngrijirea impunătorului său elefant, o femelă pe nume Bersheba. Viața în apropierea lui Caligula nu este însă lipsită de pericole și de surprize, uneori dulci, dar de cele mai multe ori nu doar amare, ci înfiorătoare de-a dreptul. Nu-i de mirare că treptat Rufus va fi înghițit în rețeaua de interese de la curtea plină de nesiguranță a lui Caligula, unde un rol foarte enigmatic este jucat de Claudiu, unchiul acestuia și viitorul împărat roman, căruia Robert Graves i-a dedicat capodoperele Eu, Claudius, Împărat și Claudius Zeul.
În concluzie, un autor interesant și este regretabil că la noi nu a fost publicat până acum (iulie 2023) decât acest roman de debut. Lectură plăcută!
Un roman de debut destul de convingător, ce surprinde perioada de "trei ani, zece luni și opt zile" în care Caligula, sau mai corect spus, Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, a fost conducătorul Imperiului Roman. Cel de-al treilea împărat roman a rămas în istorie și în conștiința publică datorită, pe de o parte, ambiției sale nemăsurate, proclamându-se pe sine zeu, pe sora sa, Drusilla, ca având originii divine, iar pe propriul său cal, Incitatus, a intenționat să-l numească consul, dar și cruzimii ieșite din comun, fiind descris de istoricii drept un dement obsedat de conspirații la adresa sa. Iată cum este descrisă pasiunea tânărului împărat pentru spectacolele cu gladiatori: "Cu Gaius nu mai este decât sânge – sânge adevărat. Aruncă infirmi și bătrâni împotriva celor mai faimoși gladiatori din Roma și râde la vederea măcelului. Trimite cavaleri romani din cele mai nobile familii – care nu ar ridica niciodată sabia cu mânie – împotriva celor mai bune echipe ale sale de luptători și râde de ei în timp ce mor. Arena nu a mai văzut un asemenea carnagiu din zilele lui Cezar".
Însă nu Caligula este eroul central al acestui roman, ci un sclav, Rufus, a cărui ocupație este aceea de a dresa animalele sălbatice, înainte ca acestea să participe la luptele din arenă. Talentul special al lui Rufus de a interacționa cu animalele îi va determina pe apropiații împăratului să-l recomande acestuia pe Rufus pentru a se ocupa cu îngrijirea impunătorului său elefant, o femelă pe nume Bersheba. Viața în apropierea lui Caligula nu este însă lipsită de pericole și de surprize, uneori dulci, dar de cele mai multe ori nu doar amare, ci înfiorătoare de-a dreptul. Nu-i de mirare că treptat Rufus va fi înghițit în rețeaua de interese de la curtea plină de nesiguranță a lui Caligula, unde un rol foarte enigmatic este jucat de Claudiu, unchiul acestuia și viitorul împărat roman, căruia Robert Graves i-a dedicat capodoperele Eu, Claudius, Împărat și Claudius Zeul.
În concluzie, un autor interesant și este regretabil că la noi nu a fost publicat până acum (iulie 2023) decât acest roman de debut. Lectură plăcută!
November 18, 2021
Băiatul se furișa cu pași mici prin tufișurile scunde, săgetând cu privirea în dreapta și-n stânga după orice semn al prezenței dușmanului. Astăzi își imagina că era ultimul supraviețuitor al bătăliei din pădurea Teutoburg – ultimul luptător din cele trei legiuni masacrate, care încă își putea îndeplini misiunea de a-l ucide pe regele cheruscilor, Arminius. Ajuns la marginea luminișului, s-a oprit. Iată și vânatul. Și-a tras micul pumnal ce-i ținea loc de gladius – sabia legionarilor – și s-a repezit asupra mulțimii de cherusci, punându-le căpeteniile la pământ, una după alta. Na! Și încă! Mori, Arminius! Mori pentru trădarea săvârșită!
Când victoria a fost completă, a rămas în picioare printre trupurile căzute ale vrăjmașilor săi, cu pieptul ridicându-i-se și coborându-i ritmic sub armura ușoară care îi proteja torsul. Cu excepția căștii, purta uniforma completă a infanteriei ușoare a Legiunii a douăzecea: tunică roșie, platoșă articulată, o centură groasă de care atârnau inele pentru echipament, apărători din piele pentru gambe și sandale. Uniforma fusese anume făcută de către ofițerul de intendență pentru a-i veni bine unui băiat de șase ani și, când o purta, îi creștea inima, gata să-i plesnească de mândrie.
Și-a dat din ochi părul negru și rebel, și a început să strângă trupurile moarte ale dușmanilor. Lăstarii subțiri, verzi, trebuiau să se usuce mai întâi, dar erau buni de foc. Strângerea lemnelor pentru foc îi oferea motivul de care avea nevoie pentru a veni în pădure. Îi plăcea mult pădurea; îi plăcea mult mirosul ei puternic de rășină și felul în care vântul se strecura printre vârfurile copacilor și îi plăcea mult felul în care soarele străpungea frunzișul copacilor și desena figuri ciudate, schimbătoare, pe solul pădurii. Păsările și animalele sălbatice îl fascinau și era mereu atent să mai descopere câte ceva nou. Mama lui nu se bucura prea tare că el venea aici. Își făcea multe griji și ar fi preferat ca băiatul să stea mai aproape de tabără și să încerce să-și facă prieteni de vârsta lui.
Când victoria a fost completă, a rămas în picioare printre trupurile căzute ale vrăjmașilor săi, cu pieptul ridicându-i-se și coborându-i ritmic sub armura ușoară care îi proteja torsul. Cu excepția căștii, purta uniforma completă a infanteriei ușoare a Legiunii a douăzecea: tunică roșie, platoșă articulată, o centură groasă de care atârnau inele pentru echipament, apărători din piele pentru gambe și sandale. Uniforma fusese anume făcută de către ofițerul de intendență pentru a-i veni bine unui băiat de șase ani și, când o purta, îi creștea inima, gata să-i plesnească de mândrie.
Și-a dat din ochi părul negru și rebel, și a început să strângă trupurile moarte ale dușmanilor. Lăstarii subțiri, verzi, trebuiau să se usuce mai întâi, dar erau buni de foc. Strângerea lemnelor pentru foc îi oferea motivul de care avea nevoie pentru a veni în pădure. Îi plăcea mult pădurea; îi plăcea mult mirosul ei puternic de rășină și felul în care vântul se strecura printre vârfurile copacilor și îi plăcea mult felul în care soarele străpungea frunzișul copacilor și desena figuri ciudate, schimbătoare, pe solul pădurii. Păsările și animalele sălbatice îl fascinau și era mereu atent să mai descopere câte ceva nou. Mama lui nu se bucura prea tare că el venea aici. Își făcea multe griji și ar fi preferat ca băiatul să stea mai aproape de tabără și să încerce să-și facă prieteni de vârsta lui.
April 19, 2019
This one is a light read, one that you can easily finish in one or two sittings. The words feel really light, the details don't overwhelm you but they still manage to place you in the right time, place, and atmosphere.
The author seemed to have been really well documented, the places and (some) of the things that happen are as real as they can be. They are of course mixed with a bit of the author's imagination, but the result is great.
Rufus, our protagonist, is very well written. He is a slave, but we can join him on every step of his journey to manhood - although we can't be really sure if he has grown from being a boy or not. The other characters all have their own personality and traits, and each offers a unique flavor to the scenes that they take part in. Relationships between them are intricate and still open for debate (the book is mainly from Rufus' point of view, so we cannot be sure what the others are thinking).
Along the main plot, the action that takes place is diverse, offering small pieces of everything: dining with the Emperor(capital 'E'), taking care of animals, Cloaca Maxima.
As a downside, there are a few things that still haunt me. I vividly remember the fighting scenes, the blood and the gore involved. Also, the torture and pain. But all of those make the experience even more vivid.
Overall, it is a good read that I recommend, worth 4/5 stars.
The author seemed to have been really well documented, the places and (some) of the things that happen are as real as they can be. They are of course mixed with a bit of the author's imagination, but the result is great.
Rufus, our protagonist, is very well written. He is a slave, but we can join him on every step of his journey to manhood - although we can't be really sure if he has grown from being a boy or not. The other characters all have their own personality and traits, and each offers a unique flavor to the scenes that they take part in. Relationships between them are intricate and still open for debate (the book is mainly from Rufus' point of view, so we cannot be sure what the others are thinking).
Along the main plot, the action that takes place is diverse, offering small pieces of everything: dining with the Emperor(capital 'E'), taking care of animals, Cloaca Maxima.
As a downside, there are a few things that still haunt me. I vividly remember the fighting scenes, the blood and the gore involved. Also, the torture and pain. But all of those make the experience even more vivid.
Overall, it is a good read that I recommend, worth 4/5 stars.
April 17, 2019
WARNING : This book contains graphic depictions of torture and animal cruelty.
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Whew, boy, this was a hard one to get through. The first fifty or so pages had scenes in it that made me outraged and queasy.... Not because they weren't well-written. This is one of the best researched historical fiction books I have read in a while, but it is DEFINITELY not for the faint of heart (if the title 'Caligula' didn't already tip you off on the brutality.) Ironically, Caligula is more a supporting character. The real horror is that this book takes place from the perspective of the slaves and commoners that performed in the colosseums. It's one thing to read history a step removed from the common man, from a king's perspective, but when you tell a story from a common man point of view, it becomes more relatable, and therefore, quite terrifying. This is a good book, but I know I would have appreciated a heads-up on the graphic stuff before I sunk my teeth into it.
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Whew, boy, this was a hard one to get through. The first fifty or so pages had scenes in it that made me outraged and queasy.... Not because they weren't well-written. This is one of the best researched historical fiction books I have read in a while, but it is DEFINITELY not for the faint of heart (if the title 'Caligula' didn't already tip you off on the brutality.) Ironically, Caligula is more a supporting character. The real horror is that this book takes place from the perspective of the slaves and commoners that performed in the colosseums. It's one thing to read history a step removed from the common man, from a king's perspective, but when you tell a story from a common man point of view, it becomes more relatable, and therefore, quite terrifying. This is a good book, but I know I would have appreciated a heads-up on the graphic stuff before I sunk my teeth into it.
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