5. HF - THE GRASS CROWN - CHAPTER V (383 - 480) (03/07/11 - 03/13/11) ~ No spoilers, please

[Bryan]

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to the historical fiction discussion of THE GRASS CROWN
by Colleen McCullough.

This is the reading assignment for week five - (March 7th to March 13th, 2011)


Week 5 - March 7-13: Chapter V, pp. 383 – 480

This is the sixth historical fiction group selected book.

We will open up a thread for each week's reading. Please make sure to post in the particular thread dedicated to those specific chapters and page numbers to avoid spoilers if you are catching up.

This book was kicked off on February 7th.

This discussion is being led by assisting moderator for The Grass Crown - Vicki Cline. This is her first venture in moderating an historical fiction book and she is very excited to be doing this. Please support her in this effort.

We always enjoy the participation of all group members. Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other noted on line booksellers do have copies of the book and shipment can be expedited. The book can also be obtained easily at your local library, but this is not available on Kindle or audible.

This thread opens up Monday, March 7th or the weekend before for discussion. This is a non spoiler thread.

Welcome,

~Bryan

TO ALWAYS SEE ALL WEEKS' THREADS SELECT VIEW ALL

Please feel free to research the complete Table of Contents and Syllabus on this thread:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

Colleen McCullough

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

The Italians continue their preparations for war, forming a country (Italia) with a capital (Italica) and setting up a governmental structure similar to Rome’s. The Senate is not taking the threat seriously, even after a praetor who was investigating the Italians in the North is killed at a play in Asculum Picentum along with all the Romans in the city. But when the praetor assigned to investigate the South escapes captivity in Nola, the Senate realizes the situation is serious and prepares for war. Consul Publius Rutilius Lupus takes charge of the war in the North (Marius is attached to his command along with Caepio) and Consul Lucius Julius Caesar goes to the South (with Sulla). Lupus is killed along with most of his troops and Marius takes over in the North. Silo tricks Caepio with the promise of gold and kills him and his legion. Marius and Sulla trap Silo’s legions between them and wipe them out, but Marius has another stroke soon after.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

I apologize for the skimpy description of the Roman/Italian conflict - it seems hard to summarize.

I was very interested in the negotiations between Mamercus and Scaurus about how to take care of the Drusus/Caepio/Cato orphans. Their solution seemed both convoluted and fair. I wonder if McCullough had read of such an arrangement or if she invented it. And what really did happen to the children. In general, I like the domestic/political parts of the story much better than the military ones, although those are well done.

[Bryan]

I found that part interesting as well. It was pretty creative solution!

This war seemed pretty brutal, like most civil wars. The scene with Quintus Servilius and the theater, yikes.

Vicki-do you know why sister cities would exchange children?

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

Re the children - I assume it's so they could trust that the other city wouldn't betray them. If they did, you would kill their children. I wonder if that ever happened - it's hard to believe anyone could be that cold-blooded.

[Bryan]

So true, Vicki and one the characters said it was standard practice.

[Bryan]

Boy, we can really see Sulla pulling away from Marius. The exchange between them about a good general is telling. Sulla sounds like a kid about to have a tantrum: "I'm a great general, too."

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

I'm not sorry Caepio's dead, although the method was gruesome. His greed overcame his good sense. McCullough really does a number on characters she doesn't like - nothing nuanced about him.

[Bryan]

lol, indeed, Vicki; she does not pull punches. I won't miss Caepio either. What a jerk.