The Masters of Rome series by the well known authors Colleen McCullough are in my opinion the best historical novels written. Certainly the best about Rome.
Her scholarship and accuracy are excellent. Her thesis and interpretation most justified.
And entertaining as ****. But there are a lot of characters so some dedication from the reader is required.
Makes books like those of Conn Iggulden look facile and childish.
If you like well written well researched historical fiction read the series.

This book takes the reader right into the middle of the social and political Roman Republic. The characters have the same motives people do today: power, greed, love, family advancement. However, within the Roman setting, the reader is able to uncover the facets of life that affected Romans that you won't glean from a history text book (if you were to even game to dare pick one up).

Excellently researched. It follows what we know of historical events with the addition of conversations that can't be known.

My favourite book series of all time