I'm conflicted on this one. I agree with others, the writing is extraordinary, however, I also found it to be lacking in emotion, almost like reading a textbook. For that reason, I'm going to hold off on a rating. Lovers of non-fiction history or those particularly interested in the Roman Empire, will be plenty satisfied. Although the work is historic fiction, and artistic license taken to round out the story, it's clear the author performed an epic amount of research.