Opinion on the Emperor series

[Steakslim]

I've just started the emperor sereis by Conn Iggulden so I wanted to know How did you like it? How accurate was the series?

[Decimus Claudius Drusus]

Entertaining. Not accurate. It is not bad if you just accept it as a fiction and don't expect much historical accuracy.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Yes, an excellent novel!

[Niedel]

I only read the first one and really hated it. It's so historically inaccurate, it's almost like "alternate history". Not historical fiction at all, IMO.

[derek forrest]

He can tell a story but Braveheart showed how people's view of history can be influenced. The historical novelist has to be careful with the known facts. Usually the unknown facts leave plenty of leeway. Begining to sound like Rumpsfeldt!!

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Well, what we have to remember is a novel is usually fiction. That it uses a known character from history is just a useful reference.
It is certainly not soo incorrect, no more that the Rome series, not to be a good read.

I loved it in fact, and it got me back on the read of 'real' Roman history, the same way that the book Gates of Fire by Pressfield, encouraged me to read the real ancient Greek histories. I had been more involved in modern history for a very long time, and I owe both these authors a debt of gratitude for rekindling my interest in the ancient histories again.

[Marcus Mummius]

Full of historical inaccuracies (not just details) but I enjoyed reading the series!

[M. Demetrius]

Well, Mummius, that's what novels are all about. Hooray that you were entertained!

[muskitear]

'Emperor' Ive read the whole series and I enjoyed them. As do I enjoy Simon Scarrows 'Eagle' series.
Authors do for some reason bend history to suit the plot. Each reader must take such books for what they are.
Anyone ever read 'Bolitho' or Hornblower'?? seafaring stories. Usually pretty accurate with dates, charts and and the seamanship but the swashbuckling is a little tongue in cheek.
I have periodic lapses and get bogged down by something like Tom Hollands 'Rubicon'. Ghaaaaaaaa politics

PS I have just started re reading book one of the Eagle series. I had forgotten what it was about.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

~Well, at least we know where the Lorica Segmentata originated....
Caesar had them made out of silver for the Gladiators in his games.....
Or at least he bought enough silver for them, but then only plated them and pocketed the rest! :wink:

[muskitear]

~Well, at least we know where the Lorica Segmentata originated....
Caesar had them made out of silver for the Gladiators in his games.....
Or at least he bought enough silver for them, but then only plated them and pocketed the rest! :wink:

He would have done well in modern politics :wink:

[M. Demetrius]

There are those who might say that Caesar invented modern politics...so yep, he'd have done fine. Of course, the things he did were not new, but he certainly packaged things in a neat wrapper. But do you see where that got him?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

There is a saying about a flock of crows and an eagle, which I think is very apt in this case!

And another one just as apt.

"It's hard to soar like an eagle when your surrounded by turkeys!" :lol: