The Marcus Antonius Trilogy by Brook Allen

It is said that the victor will always be the judge and the vanquished, the accused.  A good historical fiction writer acts as defence lawyer for these accused and gives them an opportunity to be heard. The best historical fiction writers are those who can convince us, readers, that history has committed a great disservice to these vanquished. 

I started reading the trilogy last year on my way to a conference interstate. I was so enthralled with the story that by the time I was back home, three days later, I have finished Brook Allen’s two books.  

Part 1 (Son of Rome) of the trilogy provides a sympathetic narrative on the early years of Marcus and how these influenced his actions and decisions later - his mixed feelings about Julius Ceasar, his dogged enmity towards Cicero, his relations with Publius Clodius Polcher and Curio, his utter lack of sympathy for Octavius, and his position on the restoration of the Republic.

Part 2 (Second in Command) expands on how Marcus strived long and hard to prove himself to Julius Caesar but these did not seem enough - Caesar threw him into the snake pit of Roman politics with scant support, refused to consider taking him along on the Parthian campaign, and the last straw, struck out Marcus from his will and instead named Octavius as his adopted son and heir. This book is so well written that I got distressed, less enamoured with my heroes, and kept saying to myself all throughout the book, "Oh Caesar, how could you?", "Chickpea, surely you can rise above your prejudices and ambitions!" and "Octavius young man, pay heed to your betters!"

Part 3 (Soldier of Fate) concludes Antonius’s remarkable story. It narrates Marcus’s Parthian campaign which started on a high note and horrendously went all wrong at the end; his domestic woes being married to Octavia in Rome and Cleopatra in Egypt; the unceasing arguments with Octavian; the disillusionment of his soldiers, and the tragic Battle of Actium. The book also provided a good view on Antonius's conflicted position: on the one hand he had his trusted seasoned Roman soldiers and strategists; on the other hand, he had Cleopatra, who provided coin and who had no qualms of making known that she was a key political player and will take an active part in the campaigns. 

In between Brook’s second and third parts of the trilogy, we have exchanged messages, book recommendations, and thoughts on ancient Rome. She is both an amazing writer and a gracious person! I was thrilled to join her virtual book launch of Soldier of Fate – an exhilarating meeting of persons who share the same love for the Roman empire and excitement at the release of the third part and conclusion of Marcus’s saga.

Without doubt, Brook Allen has ably given Marcus Antonius his day in court. She has provided deep insights on what made Marcus tick – why he acted the way he did, his great points, flaws, generosity, exuberance, capacity for love, and inner demons. The beauty of the trilogy is that while it astounds readers of the extent of the power and might of Rome’s political and military machinery, it makes readers empathise of what it was like to be on the other side - continuously harangued by propaganda, bitterly abandoned by the troops, betrayed by perceived allies, and plagued by self-doubts on how a true Roman should carry himself.

Helmets off to Brook for this wonderful trilogy and significant contribution to the ancient Roman lore! 

See also:

Rome-ing!