A vivid historical account of the social world of Rome as it moved from republic to empire. In 49 B.C. the seven hundred fifth year since the founding of Rome Julius Caesar crossed a small border river called the Rubicon and plunged Rome into cataclysmic civil war. Tom Hollands enthralling account tells the story of Caesars generation witness to the twilight of the Republic and its bloody transformation into an empire. From Cicero Spartacus and Brutus to Cleopatra Virgil and Augustus here are some of the most legendary figures in history brought thrillingly to life. Combining verve and freshness with scrupulous scholarship Rubicon is not only an engrossing history of this pivotal era but a uniquely resonant portrait of a great civilization in all its extremes of selfsacrifice and rivalry decadence and catastrophe intrigue war and worldshaking ambition. show more