From Antony and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough (BCA/HarperCollins).
AandC is the last in the Masters of Rome series and is a class act. Here McCullough introduces the mind of one of the (several) leading players and does it with the same passion and feeling that she had already revealed in writing about Julius Caesar.
The vista of the Forum blurred as his eyes filled with tears. Caesar, oh, Caesar! What might I have learned if you had lived? It was Antonius enabled them to kill you – he was part of the plot, I know it in my bones. Believing that he was Caesar’s heir and urgently needing Caesar’s vast fortune, he succumbed to the blandishments of Trebonius and Decimus Brutus. The other Brutus and Cassius were nothings, mere figureheads. Like many before him, Antonius hungers to be the First Man in Rome. Were I not here, he would be. But I am here, and he’s afraid that I will usurp that title as well as Caesar’s name, Caesar’s money. He’s right to be afraid. Caesar the God – Divus Julius – is on my side. If Rome is to prosper, I must win this struggle! Yet I have vowed never to go to war against Antonius, and I will keep that vow.Who is considering his opponent? Post a comment. Good luck!
11 comments:
Haven't a clue. Mark Antony?
Uh oh. I'll try to get vikings to make an appearance soonest...
Pompey?
Oh dear Rod. Go to the back of the class! Pompey had lost his head when this happened...
Crassus?
While you're standing in the corner, Rod, write out a thousand lines on 'I will learn my Roman history proper like'!
Octavia, later Augustus
Octavian, or as he was known later, Augustus.
So very close Mike, except that OctaviA was a laydee... (;
Gottit Neil, gold star. Hope to see you all again soon...
i think its gotta be Gaius Octavius..Augustus, can it be anyone else?
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