The First Man in Rome

THE

FIRST MAN

IN ROME

"AN AWESOME AND EPIC NEW WORK.. .

This is an absolutely absorbing story—

not simply of the military and political intrigues

that went into the final days of the Republic

but also of what it was like

to live, love and survive at this

pivotal point in our civilization . . .

A MASTER STORYTELLER . . .

A 900-plus-page novel that is every bit as hard

to put down as it is to pick up."

Los Angeles Times

"SPLENDID IN CONCEPTION . .

The narrative sweeps along

as does the force of history . . .

Colleen McCullough understands

the undercurrents of human emotion .

She reveals people as they are . . .

EXCEPTIONAL"
Washington Post Book World

"McCULLOUGH IS TERRIFIC . .

Her characters quiver with life."

The New York Times Book Review

"A treat for those who troll bookstores searching for
real
historical fiction . . .

As compelling as any novel of contemporary power seekers."

Houston Post

"Political infighting and power plays; the slaughters and strategies of war;

plots thick and nasty . . .

A grandly meaty historical novel. . .

Rich with gracefully integrated research

and thundering to the beat of marching Roman legions."

Kirkus Reviews

"A GREAT GOLIATH OF A NOVEL . . Perhaps the most thoroughly researched historical novel ever written.. . A genuine tour de force."

Milwaukee Journal

"An intricate characterization of an age,

agile in its movement

from the minute details of household

management to the precise composition of the

military colossus Rome repeatedly mustered

to repel the Teutonic hordes . . .

An accomplishment so edifying

as to be compelling."

New York Daily News

"The most spectacular of her books . . .

A fascinating history lesson that shows the timelessness of human ambition

and misbehavior. . .

THE BEST WORK McCULLOUGH

HAS EVER DONE."

Sacramento Bee

"AN EXCITING STORY OF TANGLED

LIVES AND EPIC EVENTS . .. This novel really grabbed me after a few pages,

and I savored it to the end . . .

Republican Rome may be distant in time,

but through McCullough's talent for

storytelling and intimate knowledge

of the Roman life style,

the world becomes alive and pertinent

to the contemporary reader."

Pittsburgh Press

"Crosses battle lines and boundaries.

Deaths, births, prophecies, political alliances and rivalries create a whirlwind of drama. McCullough intermingles the high and the low-assassins, soldiers, wives and mistresses-— to weave an intriguing tapestry of a great empire."

Washington Times

"A SERIOUS HISTORICAL NOVEL THAT EDIFIES WHILE IT ENTERTAINS . . .

McCullough tells a good story,

describing political intrigue, social infighting

and bloody battles with authoritative skill,

interpolating domestic drama

and even a soupgon of romance . , .

FASCINATING READING . . .

A memorable picture of an age

with many aspects that share

characteristics with our own."

Publishers Weekly

"ADMIRABLE...

Colleen McCullough is an

energetic yarn-spinner. . .

Her research is extensive enough

to win her half a dozen PhD degrees,

and she throws nothing away . . .

A bestseller of higher aspiration."

Newsday

Other Avon Books by

Colleen McCullough

THE GRASS CROWN FORTUNE'S FAVORITES

A CREED FOR THE THIRD MILLENNIUM

AN INDECENT OBSESSION

THE LADIES OF MISSALONGHI

THE THORN BIRDS

TIM

Avon Books are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotions, premiums, fund raising or educational use. Special books, or book excerpts, can also be created to fit specific needs.

For details write or telephone the office of the Director of Special Markets, Avon Books, Dept. FP, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, 1-800-238-0658.

Colleen

McCullough

THE

FIRST MAN

IN ROME

AVON BOOKS & NEW YORK

If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as "unsold and destroyed" to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this "stripped book."

For

Frederick T. Mason,

dear friend, splendid colleague, honest man,

with love and gratitude

AVON BOOKS

A division of

The Hearst Corporation

1350 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Copyright © 1990 by Colleen McCullough

Cover art by Tom Hall

Published by arrangement with the author

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 90-37080

ISBN: 0-380-71081-1

All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law.

Published in hardcover by William Morrow and Company, Inc.; for information address Permissions Department, William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019.

First Avon Books Printing: August 1991

First Avon Books International Printing: May 1991

AVON TRADEMARK REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. AND IN OTHER COUNTRIES, MARCA REGISTRADA, HECHO EN U.S.A.

Printed in the U.S.A. OPM    10    9    8    7    6

A note to the reader: to shed light on the world of ancient Rome, several maps and illustrations have been included throughout this book. Their locations are noted on page xi. A list of the main characters begins on page xxi. An author's note appears on page 933. If you would like to know more about the historical background of
The First Man in Rome,
turn to page 937 for a glossary explaining some Latin words and unfamiliar terms. Readers who are interested in the pronunciations of Roman masculine names will find a guide on page 1055. A guide to the pronunciations of other names and terms begins on page 1067.

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THE FIRST MAN IN ROME

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THE MAIN CHARACTERS

Caepio

Quintus Servilius Caepio, consul 106 B.C.

Quintus Servilius Caepio Junior, his son

Servilia Caepionis, his daughter

Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar, senator

Marcia of the Marcii Reges, his wife, mother of:

Sextus Julius Caesar, his older son

Gaius Julius Caesar Junior, his younger son

Julia Major (Julia), his older daughter

Julia Minor (Julilla), his younger daughter

Cotta

Marcus Aurelius Cotta, praetor (date unknown)

Rutilia, his wife; her first husband: his brother, Lucius

Aurelius Cotta, consul 118 B.C. (died straight after)

Aurelia, his stepdaughter and niece

Lucius Aurelius Cotta, his stepson and nephew

Gaius, Marcus, and Lucius Aurelius Cotta, his sons by Rutilia

Decumius

Lucius Decumius, custodian of a crossroads college

Drusus

Marcus Livius Drusus Censor, consul 112 B.C., censor 109 B.C. (died in office)

Cornelia Scipionis, his estranged wife, mother of:

Marcus Livius Drusus, his older son

Mamercus Aemilius Lepidus Livianus, his younger

son, adopted out as a child

Livia Drusa, his daughter

Glaucia

Gaius Servilius Glaucia, tribune of the plebs 102 B.C., praetor 100 B.C.

Jugurtha

Jugurtha, King of Numidia, bastard son of Mastanabal Bomilcar, his half brother and baron

Marius

Gaius Marius

Grania from Puteoli, his first wife

Martha of Syria, a prophetess

Metellus

Lucius Caecilius Metellus Dalmaticus Pontifex Maximus, consul 119 B.C., older brother of:

Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus, consul 109 B.C., censor 102 B.C.

Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius, son of Numidicus

Caecilia Metella Dalmatica, niece and ward of Numidicus, daughter of Dalmaticus

Rutilius Rufus

Publius Rutilius Rufus, consul 105 B.C.

Livia of the Drusi, his deceased wife, sister of Marcus Livius Drusus Censor

Rutilia of the Rufi, his sister, widow of Lucius Aurelius Cotta, wife of Marcus Aurelius Cotta

Saturninus

Lucius Appuleius Saturninus, tribune of the plebs 103 and 100 B.C.

Scaurus

Marcus Aemilius Scaurus Princeps Senatus, consul

115 B.C., censor 109 B.C.

Marcus Aemilius Scaurus Junior, his son by his first wife

Sertorius

Quintus Sertorius, cadet and military tribune

Ria of the Marii, his mother, cousin of Gaius Marius

Sulla

Lucius Cornelius Sulla, quaestor 107 B.C., legate

Clitumna from Umbria, his stepmother, aunt of Lucius Gavius Stichus

Nicopolis the freedwoman, his mistress

Metrobius, an adolescent child star of the comedy theater