One of history’s most notorious assassinations sets the stage for a riveting tale of political intrigue, epic battle, and righteous retribution in a new novel of ancient Rome from #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Conn Iggulden. <br> <b> </b><br> <b>THE BLOOD OF GODS</b><br> <b> </b><br> Julius Caesar has been cut down. His blood stains the hands of a cabal of bold conspirators, led by famed general Marcus Brutus—whom Caesar once called a friend. Have these self-proclaimed liberators bravely slain a power-mad tyrant or brutally murdered the beloved Father of Rome? Hailed as heroes by a complicit Senate and granted amnesty, the killers eagerly turn toward plotting the empire’s future under their control. But Caesar’s death does not rest easily with all of Rome. For two men whose bonds of friendship, family, and fidelity to the emperor are unbreakable, the shocking assassination is nothing less than treason. And those responsible must pay with their lives. <br> <br> Through countless battles and years of peace, Marc Antony has wielded a sword and raised a cup at Caesar’s side. Now, in the wake of the cold-blooded coup, he is powerless against the political might of Brutus and his treacherous senators. Yet with no weapons other than eloquence and outrage, Antony will turn the tide of public opinion and spark a rebellion that will set the streets of Rome ablaze. At the same time, Gaius Octavian, adopted son and chosen heir of Caesar, has gained wealth and influence beyond imagining. But the soul-deep wound of his father’s death will never be healed by gold or power. He will rest only with the blood of the killers on his blade. <br> <br> Drawn together by their common cause, Antony and Octavian marshal their forces into an avenging army on a mission to reunite all that Caesar’s fall has torn asunder. Even as his cohorts flee for their lives—or fall prey to vigilantes—a defiant Brutus vows never to relinquish what his ruthless ambition has won him. As opposing legions join in mortal combat, the destiny of Rome will turn on which of their commanders is the mightiest and most cunning.<br> <br> Marking the author’s triumphant return to the setting of his celebrated Emperor<i> </i>series, <i>The Blood of Gods </i>unfolds with unmatched power, electric with the high-adventure storytelling, captivating historical detail, and stirring battle scenes for which Conn Iggulden is renowned.<br><br><b>Praise for <i>The Blood of Gods</i></b><br> <b> </b><br> “The seasoned Iggulden adeptly brings all the intrigue and action of the era vividly to life, maintaining a historically authentic backdrop as he fictionalizes Octavian’s evolution from callow youth to Augustus, the bold and fearless architect of a new chapter in Roman history.”—<b><i>Booklist</i></b><br> <br> “Iggulden does fine work in his deft character studies of the principals and their various motives for alternately stirring up civil war or defending a new empire in the borning. . . . With such strong and willful people, you just know a clash is inevitable—and the best parts of this good novel are those of fierce battles such as Philippi, in scenes of ‘oil and splinters and floating bodies.’ Well-paced and well-written . . . better than much historical fiction about the ancient world.”—<b><i>Kirkus Reviews</i></b><br><br>“Iggulden plunges you into the full fury of the action and leaves you gasping for more.”<b>—<i>The Northern Echo</i> (UK)</b><br> <br> “[A] clever and convincing narrative.”<b>—<i>The Sunday Times</i> (UK)</b><br><br><br><i>From the Hardcover edition.</i>