Masters of Rome Books in Order: How to read Colleen McCullough’s series?

A historical fiction saga written by Australian author Colleen McCullough (1937–2015), author of “The Thorn Birds,” the Masters of Rome is set during the late Roman Republic era. It covers the later years of the republic from the time of the Social War (91–88 BC) to the establishment of the Roman Empire under Augustus. The story begins by focusing on Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla, depicting their rise to power and their roles in the changing political landscape.

How to read the Masters of Rome series in order?

Every entry in the Masters of Rome book series works as a standalone novel, but the story of Rome and its politicians evolve from one novel to the other.

1. The First Man in Rome (1990) – When the world cowered before the legions of Rome, two extraordinary men dreamed of personal glory: the military genius and wealthy rural “upstart” Marius, and Sulla, penniless and debauched but of aristocratic birth. Men of exceptional vision, courage, cunning, and ruthless ambition, separately they faced the insurmountable opposition of powerful, vindictive foes. Yet allied they could answer the treachery of rivals, lovers, enemy generals, and senatorial vipers with intricate and merciless machinations of their own—to achieve in the end a bloody and splendid foretold destiny . . . and win the most coveted honor the Republic could bestow.
2. The Grass Crown (1991) – An aging, ailing Gaius Marius, heralded conqueror of Germany and Numidia, longs for that which was prophesied many years before: an unprecedented seventh consulship of Rome. It is a prize to be won only through treachery and with blood, pitting Marius against a new generation of assassins, power-seekers, and Senate intriguers—and setting him at odds with the ambitious, tormented Lucius Cornelius Sulla, once Marius’s most trusted right-hand man, now his most dangerous rival.
3. Fortune’s Favourites (1993) – In a time of cataclysmic upheaval, a bold new generation of Romans vied for greatness amid the disintegrating remnants of their beloved Republic. They were the chosen…and the cursed—blessed with wealth and privilege yet burdened by the dictates of destiny in a savage struggle for power that would leave countless numbers crushed and destroyed. But there was one who would tower above them all—a brilliant and beautiful boy whose ambition was unparalleled, whose love was legend, and whose glory was Rome’s: a boy they would one day call “Caesar.”

4. Caesar’s Women (1995) – His victories were legend—in battle and bedchamber alike. Love was a political weapon he wielded cunningly and ruthlessly in his private war against enemies in the forum. Genius, general, patrician, Gaius Julius Caesar was history. His wives bought him influence. He sacrificed his beloved daughter on the altar of ambition. He burned for the cold-hearted mistress he could never dare trust. Caesar’s women all knew—and feared—his power. He adored them, used them, destroyed them on his irresistible rise to prominence. And one of them would seal his fate.
5. Caesar (1997) – In the long, fabled history of Rome, there was never one so beloved by so many–yet so feared and despised by lesser men whose power he eclipsed–than Gaius Julius Caesar. On the field of battle, he is invincible, and those who fight at his side would gladly give their lives for his glory. But even as Caesar sweeps across Gaul–brutally subduing the united tribes who defy the Republic–his enemies at home are orchestrating his downfall and disgrace. Vindictive schemers like Cato and Bibulus would tear Rome asunder just to destroy her greatest champion, using their wiles, position and false promises to seduce others into the fold: the spineless Cicero, the avaricious Brutus…even Pompey the Great, First Man in Rome and Caesar’s former ally. But ill fortune can only come to the “Good Men” who underestimate Caesar. For Rome is his destiny–a destiny that will impel him triumphantly on the banks of the Rubicon…and beyond, into legend. 
6. The October Horse (2002) – Gaius Julius Caesar is at the height of his stupendous career. When he becomes embroiled in a civil war between Egypt’s King Ptolemy and Queen Cleopatra, he finds himself torn between the fascinations of a remarkable woman and his duty as a Roman. Though he must leave Cleopatra, she remains a force in his life as a lover and as the mother of his only son, who can never inherit Caesar’s Roman mantle, and therefore cannot solve his father’s greatest dilemma — who will be Caesar’s Roman heir? 

7. Antony and Cleopatra (2007) – Antony was the leader of the fabulously rich East. Barely into his campaigning, he met Cleopatra, Pharaoh of Egypt. Bereft by the loss of Julius Caesar, her lover, father of her only son, she saw Antony as another Roman who could support her and provide more heirs. His fascination for her, his sense that she knew the way forward where he had lost his, led to the beginning of their passionate, and very public affair. The two men, twin rulers of Rome, might have found a way to live with each other but not with Cleopatra between them.

If you like the Masters of Rome reading order, you may also want to see our guide to the Warrior of Rome series by Harry Sidebottom. Don’t hesitate to follow us on Twitter or Facebook to discover more book series.