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The Pillars of Rome (Republic, 1) Paperback – November 1, 2010

by Jack Ludlow (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 63 ratings
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With barbarians at the gate and enemies within, two men must fight for the soul of the Republic and the greatest empire in the world.


A cave hacked out of the rock, lit by flickering torches.two young boys 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 they flee from the cave in fear, Aulus and Lucius make an oath of loyalty until death. An oath that will be tested in the years to come.


Thirty years on and Aulus, now Rome's most successful general, 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. It is unthinkable for Aulus to agree, and he fears her life must be forfeit to Rome. 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.


History and adventure, brutality and courage combine to powerful effect, making The Pillars of Rome an outstanding opening to the Republic series.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Republic
  2. Print length
    528 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Allison & Busby
  5. Publication date
    November 1, 2010
  6. Dimensions
    5 x 1.25 x 8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0749009470
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0749009472
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The cruelty and brutality of political and military life in Rome immediately before the rise of the Caesars is explicit. The story is fascinating and expertly told, narrated intelligently and with élan. For readers who have liked Conn Iggulden’s Emperor series, this is required reading – and is historical fiction at its very best." (Historical Novels Review)

About the Author

Jack Ludlow is the pseudonym of David Donachie, who was born in Edinburgh in 1944. The author of a number of bestselling books, he now lives in Deal.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Allison & Busby; Reissue edition (November 1, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 528 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0749009470
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0749009472
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1.25 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 63 ratings

About the author

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Jack Ludlow

Jack Ludlow

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Jack Ludlow is the pen name of writer David Donachie, who was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has always had an abiding interest in the Roman Republic as well as the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which he drew on for the many historical adventure novels he has set in that period. David lives in Deal with his partner, the novelist Sarah Grazebrook.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
63 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Aristotle
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining!
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2011
Verified Purchase
This novel is my first encounter with Jack Ludlow. His writing style is easy to read and therefore allows one to focus on the storyline and readily engage with ensuing events.

It's not a novel of great depth. Nor can one correlate the main characters and events with specific historical recordings in Roman history. However, all characters, institutions and events reflect quite accurately a Roman environment.

Lucius and Aulus are the two noblemen on which the whole novel is based, presumably pre Julies Caesar's time, when roman aristocrats jealously guarded the precepts of a `Republic'. Both entered a blood oath in their early youth to be there for each other and for Rome. However, a dramatic prophesy foretold by a roman oracle around the same time coupled with life's trials and tribulations will test to the extreme the veracity of such an oath.

It takes almost the whole novel and approximately forty years later in the context of the story before some aspects of this prophesy come to pass. Therefore, one will need to read the next novel in this trilogy to know what happens.

If you wish to learn about Roman life, politics, senatorial greed, the disproportionate spread of wealth between the upper and lower classes then this novel will reveal it well. If you wish to gain actual historical insights to real historical figures, battles and events this novel is not written to do so.

From an entertainment point of view this is a good read. You can easily relax and enjoy it as there is little complexity with characters, ideas or prose. This novel would be enjoyable reading on a train, bus or while relaxing beside a pool.
10 people found this helpful
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William A McLaughlin
4.0 out of 5 stars The Pillars of Rome (Republic) [Kindle Edition] By Jack Ludlow
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2011
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The Pillars of Rome (Republic) [Kindle Edition]
By Jack Ludlow

Although the novel starts out slow it build with some interesting characters. It definitely has signs of a larger trilogy in mind throughout the book. Ludlow is less formulaic the Mace and Turney. His characters are less cartoon-like then Scarrow and despite the longer development of characters refreshing. I look forward to the second volume to see the continued growth and adventures of Aquila and Marcellus.
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Tonny Studsgaard Petersen
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2014
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Somewhat stereotypic characters but entertaining. Looking forward to read the other two books in the serie.
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John Williamson-Noble
4.0 out of 5 stars Pillars of Rome
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2012
This is a real page turner. The characters are credible and the story completely engaging. You get a real sense of what it must have been like to live in ancient Rome from the perspective of its most illustrious citizens through to the slaves. You won't want to put it down!
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

geo marsh
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 17, 2016
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reading now good book good read
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arnold mc donald
4.0 out of 5 stars ... through this book but i find it interesting and easy to read i find often on stories set many ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2015
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am only about halfway through this book but i find it interesting and easy to read i find often on stories set many years ago you have problems keeping track of all the names not so with this one interesting to see that some political characters have not changed over the years the only differance is its not so easy to kill off the opposition looking forward to reding the rest of the story
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Terry Duggan
3.0 out of 5 stars Good story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2020
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Very much contained the story line expected.
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Brian Morton
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 20, 2015
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Excellent book, hard to put down
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Kevin lloyd
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2015
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ok
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