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Caesar (Masters of Rome, #5)
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ROMAN EMPIRE -THE HISTORY... > CAESAR - INTRODUCTION

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message 1: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Oct 15, 2012 12:14AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
This thread is the introductory thread for Caesar (Master of Rome # 5) by Colleen McCullough.

The novel opens in 54 BC, with Caesar in the middle of his epochal Gallic campaigns, having just invaded Britannia. The first half of the novel deals broadly with the conclusion of his conquests in Gaul, and the second half narrates the growing sense of unease in Rome concerning Caesar's intentions, the antagonism of the conservative 'boni' faction towards him, his crossing of the Rubicon, his invasion of Italy and his victory in the Civil War.

Some of the pivotal moments include Caesar's return from Britannia; his narrow escape during the battle of Gergovia; his great victory at Alesia, which involved the complete circumvallation of the citadel, the repulse of a relief force, and the acceptance of the surrender of Vercingetorix; his final destruction of the Gallic resistance at Uxellodunum; the death of Julia and Marcus Licinius Crassus; his falling out with Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus and the final collapse of the First Triumvirate system; his failed negotiations concerning his re-election as consul; the opening of the Civil War; the Battle of Dyrrhachium and the Battle of Pharsalus; the flight of Pompey to Ptolemaic Egypt and his assassination there; and the scattering of the 'boni' leadership.


Source: Wikipedia


message 2: by G (new) - rated it 4 stars

G Hodges (glh1) | 901 comments After Caesar, no other person or army invaded Britain up through the 20th century. Not Bonaparte. Not Hitler. It makes it more amazing that Caesar did with the resources at hand.


message 3: by Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History (new) - rated it 4 stars

Vicki Cline | 3835 comments Mod
G, aren't you forgetting William the Conqueror? Pretty sure he invaded in 1066.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_...


message 4: by G (new) - rated it 4 stars

G Hodges (glh1) | 901 comments Can I say that was different and not have you laugh? Of course you are right, but because he defined Britain, I forgot.


message 5: by Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History (new) - rated it 4 stars

Vicki Cline | 3835 comments Mod
You're probably right, William more or less thought he had the right to be the ruler of Britain, so it wasn't really an invasion by a "foreign" power.


message 6: by G (new) - rated it 4 stars

G Hodges (glh1) | 901 comments Clearly William fits into the invasion category. The difference is that he stayed and Caesar didn't, even if other Romans did. No. I unfortunately overlooked William. Given my interest in Hastings, this is particularly egregious on my part.


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