Rubicon | Delibris

[Rubicon]

HOLLAND, Tom

Year:

2003

Type:

Non Fiction

Public:

Adults

Tags:

History, Ancient, Medieval

Moral assessment:

Type: Thought

Nothing inappropriate.

Requires prior general knowledge of the subject.

Readers with knowledgeable about the subject matter.

Contains doctrinal errors of some importance.

Whilst not being explicitly against the faith, the general approach or its main points are ambiguous or opposed to the Church’s teachings.

Incompatible with Catholic doctrine.

Literary quality:

Recommendable:

Transmits values:

Sexual content:

Violent content:

Vulgar or obscene language:

Ideas that contradict Church teaching:

The rating of the different categories comes from the opinion of Delibris' collaborators

With the unstoppable rise of the Roman Republic over centuries, this book deals with its downfall under the command of Sula, Pompey and Caesar. Holland summaries the foundations of the Republic, its history from Gracchen till the times of Augustus, while concentrating on the time of the first triumvirate of Caesar, Pompey and Cassus. Cicero is also one of the main political protagonists. The title refers to Caesar’s crossing of the river Rubicon to bring the Civil War that would bring down the Republic.

The book is well-researched, readable, and enlightening. Holland successfully brings a complicated period of history into the light, highlighting the social, moral and political development of the Republic. It is a world that is extraordinarily immoral and savage. Holland successfully brings together the accomplished historian with the successful novelist. It is a compelling narrative, though some of the immoral details may detract from being a wholesome read for all. Torture and murder were routinely a source of entertainment at the time. This is a popular history which serves as an excellent introduction to the period.

Cliff Cobb, 2020