BLOOD, BETRAYAL, AND THE BATTLE FOR ROME’S SOUL: THE DARK AND TWISTED JOURNEY OF NERO’S ASCENT TO POWER
--
A MARRIAGE BLESSED IN BLOOD . . .
On the wedding day of Emperor Claudius to Agrippina, a senator lies dying in his own home. Yesterday, this senator was betrothed to Octavia, Claudius’s daughter.
Now blood gushes from his slit wrists.
Agrippina’s elevation to empress changes so many things. Claudius is convinced to adopt her thirteen-year-old son Nero, naming him his new heir.
And those angered by his wife’s presumption? They face dashed hopes, endure terrible accusations, or suffer a merciless death.
Yet Nero – still a boy – is vulnerable. Tutored by Seneca, he vies with his brother and fellow heir Britannicus for their father’s favour. He learns to fight. He learns to love. So what if his mother wants him to marry his sister-cousin Octavia? Rome has been scandalised before.
But those who have survived Agrippina, and the families of those who didn’t, have long memories and short knives. They seek chances to get close – to taste the blood of this ruthless plotter and her son.
Rome has always been dangerous.
To rise there, as Nero is to discover, others must fall – even emperors . . .
–
PRAISE FOR CONN IGGULDEN
'Breathtakingly good’ Bernard Cornwell
‘Deft and robust storytelling, that whips through the history with plenty of blood, guts and plot-twists’ The Times
'Pacy and propulsive, cracking with energy, violence and stirring speeches, Iggulden chronicles power struggles, political machinations and the bloodthirsty ravages of up-close combat' Daily Mail
‘A master of the historical novel’ Washington Post
Readers love Nero
'Iggulden draws you into Rome, its brutality and its glory, and brings it back to life with such seamless ease' ***** Reader Review
'Absolute quality from first to last page, atmospheric with a real feel for time and place' ***** Reader Review
'It was fascinating to see the seeds being planted that will lead to the Nero becoming the tyrant we know through the ancient historians, but told in such a contemporary and accessible way' ***** Reader Review
'An absolutely immersive experience throughout that throws you into the politics of Ancient Rome' ***** Reader Review
‘Another gripping page turner from the peerless master of historical fiction’ ***** Reader Review
Conn Iggulden, Sunday Times bestseller, June 2024
Author: Conn Iggulden
Publication Date: 2025-05-22
Format: Paperback / softback
Pages: 432
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
How long until I get my order?
Orders placed within the Republic of Ireland are normally processed, dispatched and delivered within 2 working days of placing your order.*
Orders placed to Northern Ireland and Great Britain are normally processed, dispatched and delivered within 2-5 working days of placing your order.
For time-lines on international deliveries, please refer to our Shipping & Delivery Page.
*Please note that during peak trade times this time-line may increase.
How much is delivery?
We offer FREE delivery on all orders over €10 within the Republic of Ireland.
Delivery is just €3.95 for under under €10
Delivery starts from just €9 for orders to Northern Ireland and Great Britain
For international rates, please refer to our Shipping & Delivery Page.
Do you provide tracking for my order?
We provide a Tracking Reference for all orders placed online as standard.
Once your order is dispatched, you will receive an email with a custom An Post link to track your delivery every step of the way.
Can I cancel/amend my order once it’s placed?
Once your order is placed we work as quickly as possible to dispatch your order to you so we cannot promise this is always possible.
However, if you’ve made a mistake on your order and you’d like to change it, please contact our online team at customercare@bookstation.ie and we will try to fix this for you before your order is dispatched.
Once an order is shipped and in transit, we can no longer offer any amendments to your order.
SHIPPING
FREE delivery on all orders over €10* ✅
Orders dispatched within 2 working days ✅
An Post Tracking provided on all orders ✅
Republic of Ireland
*FREE on all orders over €10
€3.95 for orders under €10
UK & Northern Ireland
Shipping from just €7
*Republic of Ireland only.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
Europe - Shipping from just €9
USA - Shipping from just €17
Canada - Shipping from just €16
Australia - Shipping from just €31.50
New Zealand - Shipping from just €26
RETURNS
Judged a book by its cover?
Don’t worry - at Bookstation you can return your order for a full refund within 14 days of delivery providing:
The item is in re-saleable condition ✅
It’s within the 14 day Return Period ✅
You have a valid proof of purchase ✅