I just finished “Rubicon” by Tom Holland. I don’t have time to write at length about it, I found it to be very interesting. Rubicon is a historical narrative about the end of the Roman Republic. I thought I knew something about Roman history, having been married to someone who was ABD’d in Roman History, but this book filled in some gaps and painted a different picture of things.
I think Holland was trying to draw subtle comparisons between Rome and the United States. Or maybe I am inferring them. Stories about Roman generals marching off to pacify the natives in one region or another seem ready made for comparison with similar American exercises.
Holland makes a point that there was an ideological basis to the actions of the Roman demi-gods and I think that another point of comparison is in order. The Romans tried to see themselves as moral and the supporters of a moral code, even while spreading bribes around to secure judgements at court. They carefully whittled away until they had a code which could support both honor and whatever self-centered gambit crossed the threshold.
The author’s style wore on me, but it was a good read.