Caesar: Life of a Colossus - Hardcover

Goldsworthy, Adrian Keith

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300120486 ISBN 13: 9780300120486

Publisher: Yale Univ Pr, 2006

Synopsis

As Adrian Goldsworthy writes in the introduction to this book, “in his fifty-six years, Caesar was at times many things, including a fugitive, prisoner, rising politician, army leader, legal advocate, rebel, dictator . . . as well as husband, father, lover and adulterer.” In this landmark biography, Goldsworthy examines all of these roles and places his subject firmly within the context of Roman society in the first century B.C. 
 
Tracing the extraordinary trajectory of Caesar’s life from birth through assassination, Goldsworthy covers not only Caesar’s accomplishments as charismatic orator, conquering general, and powerful dictator but also lesser-known chapters during which he was high priest of an exotic cult, captive of pirates, seducer not only of Cleopatra but also of the wives of his two main political rivals, and rebel condemned by his own country. Ultimately, Goldsworthy realizes the full complexity of Caesar’s character and shows why his political and military leadership continues to resonate some two thousand years later.

About this title

Review

Goldsworthy is the one of the new generation of young classicists who combine scholarship with storytelling to bring the ancient world to life: in his masterly new Caesar, he shows us the greatest Roman as man, statesman, soldier and lover. (Simon Sebag Montefiore)

¿It gives me great pleasure to give Caesar the strongest possible recommendation. Making this my Editor¿s Choice was one of the easiest decisions I¿ve made this year. Caesar was a complex character living in confusing times, but Adrian Goldsworthy tackles the subject with a vigour, thoroughness and clarity of purpose that the great man himself would have approved of.¿ (Philip Sidnell Ancient and Medieval History Book Club)

The analysis of Caesar's generalship is predictably excellent, the account of the Gallic wars, in particular, has rarely been bettered. (THE SPECTATOR)

a superb achievement... It is a model of the way ancient biographies should be written. (LITERARY REVIEW)

This admirable biography... is so lucid, so comprehensive and so balanced... (Allan Massie DAILY TELEGRAPH)

Will remain the definitive biography of Caesar for years to come (Dr Philip Matyszak, author THE SONS OF CAESAR)

A compelling biography of Julius Caesar, charting his fantastically eventful life. (FINANCIAL TIMES)

richness of detail illuminates to great effect the risk-taking, self-promotion and sheer force of will that fuelled Caesar's extraordinary career. (BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE)

a thorough and wide-ranging biography of a legendary figure (DAILY EXPRESS)

highly enjoyable... [Goldsworthy] writes well, and with real authority (Simon Heffer COUNTRY LIFE)

Book Description

The story of one of the most brilliant, flamboyant and historically important men who ever lived.

Edition details

• Publisher: Yale Univ Pr
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0300120486
• ISBN 13: 9780300120486
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 583