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Forged in Rome

An Epic Tale of Power, Ambition and Survival in Ancient Rome from the Sunday Times bestseller

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Forged in Rome

By: Conn Iggulden
Narrated by: Piers Hampton
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Brought to you by Penguin.

THE EPIC NEW ADVENTURE FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTELLER CONN IGGULDEN

Can a slave . . . become a master?
AD 37. The Roman Republic has become a true empire, stretching from Egypt to the seacoast of Gaul. Sixty million people live under its rule.
A scribe in a noble household on the outskirts of the empire’s greatest city, a young man who has no memory of his past or his family. Where freedom exists for the privileged few, he has only ever known a life of slavery. His name is Cormac.
When Cormac’s master dies suddenly under suspicious circumstances, he finds himself furnished with documents freeing him from bondage. Surviving somewhere between slave and citizen, he quickly discovers the dangers that come with freedom. The city is a pitiless place for those without allies.
But the winds of fate are shifting. Cormac’s talents – his treasured ability to read and write – will soon take him from city slums to the mines of Gaul, to the island of Britannia and back to the hills of Rome.
Slave, scribe, soldier – Cormac will have to play Rome’s most dangerous game if he’s to secure wealth and power. For in this city, with skill, ambition and luck, perhaps such things can be won . . .

© Conn Iggulden 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Action & Adventure Ancient Genre Fiction Historical Fiction War & Military Rome
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I am Bias as I have always been a fan of Conn's books. But this is a change from the norm. Love the fact he has changed his main character from a Emperor/ Leader to a normal citizen. It's the detail of life in this era mixed with the fast passed tale that has impressed me. His best since the War of the Roses series for me.

Love the change from concentrating on Emperor's to a story about a Slave/Citizen.

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Conn Iggulden back to his best. Great story and narration. Very much looking forward to the rest of the series

Can’t wait for book 2!

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It's no lie than Conn Iggulden is my favourite historical fiction novelist and this did not disappoint.
It is so brilliantly crafted that the familiar timeline with actual events had me wondering if if the characters would meet 'x' or 'y' on their travels 😄
I was absolutely and completely absorbed in this novel. The last time I felt like this was reading his series on Julius Ceasar.
Hearing this novel as an audiobook was a different experience of Conns' stories and it was very enjoyable. Narration was well paced with no jarring affectations.
Thoroughly recommend.
I need Conn to write faster though, I can't wait for the next book!

Conn never disappoints

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Brilliant as usual, in fact once I started I to listen to it I was reluctant to turn it off. I hope it’s not to long before we learn our hero escapes to take more revenge on his tormentors.

Forged in Rome

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Conn Iggulden is a genius writer,

I’ve read EVERYTHING he’s written and I’m yet to find a weak link and believe me, this book is up there among the very best.

It’s brilliantly written about a ‘hero’ character completely out of the norm for this kind of novel and I cannot wait for the next one - what a cliffhanger of an ending!

Also, I do hope the narrator used on this book is retained for the next one and any that might follow, he’s excellent.

If you buy this and don’t enjoy it, go back and start again because you weren’t listening properly!

Another smash hit…

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