The Pillars of Rome: A Roman Republic Novel

By David Donachie

With barbarians at the gate and enemies within, two men must fight for the soul of the great Roman Republic. History and adventure, brutality and courage combine to powerful effect, making The Pillars of Rome an outstanding opening to the Republic trilogy.

In a dark cave lit by flickering torches, two young boys, Aulus and Lucius, appeal to the famed Roman oracle for a glimpse into their future. The Sybil draws a blood-red shape of an eagle with wings outstretched: an omen of death. As the boys flee from the cave in fear, they make an oath of loyalty until death.

Thirty years on, Aulus is Rome’s most successful general and faces his toughest battle. Barbarian rebels have captured his wife and are demanding the withdrawal of Roman legions from their land in return for her life. Meanwhile, Lucius has risen to high rank in the Senate, a position he uses and abuses. But when Lucius is suspected of arranging a murder, the very foundations of the Republic are threatened. Lucius and Aulus soon find themselves on very different sides of the conflict – perhaps the prophecy of the eagle will come true after all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RowmanLittlefield
• Release date: Oct 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781493073962

David Donachie

Born in Edinburgh in 1944, David Donachie has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The author of a number of bestselling books, he now lives in Deal, Kent with his wife, the novelist Sarah Grazebrook and their two children.

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Reviews for The Pillars of Rome

[dcarlin-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Pillars of Rome is a book that probably should have been read...not listened to. I found it difficult to keep track of characters (names and where they fitted in) and the plot seemed to jump, no, lumber around...always difficult in an audio book. However, the ending has me wanting to listen to Books 2 and 3 of the trilogy....sometime.

[janerawoof · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The two pillars of Rome were the Law and the Military. Two young boys, Aulus and Lucius, are given a prophecy that begins to be filled during the course of this novel: "One shall tame a mighty foe/the other strike to save its fame/neither will achieve heir aim. Look aloft if you dare/though what you fear cannot fly/both will face it before you die." They pledge blood brotherhood and eternal friendship. Years pass; Aulus becomes a renowned military general, winning a triumph through his defeat of Brennos, a Celt-Iberian who has united the tribes in Spain. Ever after, Brennos harbors revenge. Lucius becomes a well-known, influential senator. Each has a son; one is exposed in an out-of-the-way place in the woods to die, rescued by a poor man, Clodius, and raised by him and his wife. They name him Aquila, since he had been found with an amulet of an eagle. In contrast, Lucius's son, the only child Marcellus, is rich and given every advantage. The novel takes us through the lives of all these characters and how their fates begin to intertwine. First we see before a fateful battle in Illyricum [the Balkans] the meeting of the general and Clodius, who has been convinced to substitute as a legionary for his neighbor. There were several poignant episodes where I teared up. I liked the character development. Each had a distinctive personality. This novel was written well, flowed easily and was easy to follow. I recommend this novel highly. I am eager to read the sequels.