Tyrant

Travel to the heart of a Roman dynasty beset by power struggles and betrayal in this latest chapter of the tale of Nero __________ A MARRIAGE BLESSED IN BLOOD . . . Emperor Claudius is to wed his niece Agrippina. Her elevation will change so many things. Claudius will name her son Nero as heir. And any who dare cross her will live to regret it. Yet Nero – still a boy – is vulnerable. He vies for favour with his brother Britannicus. He learns to fight. He learns to love. Marry your sister-cousin Octavia, says his mother. Never mind the scandal. But those who have survived Agrippina, have long memories and short knives. To rise in Rome, others must fall. How long before Claudius realises his adopted son is a threat? And Nero stops seeing his mother as an ally? __________ 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

World-renowned Shakespeare scholar Stephen Greenblatt explores the playwright’s insight into bad (and often mad) rulers. Examining the psyche—and psychoses—of the likes of Richard III, Macbeth, Lear and Coriolanus, Greenblatt illuminates the ways in which William Shakespeare delved into the lust for absolute power and the disasters visited upon the societies over which these characters rule. Tyrant shows that Shakespeare’s work remains vitally relevant today, not least in its probing of the unquenchable, narcissistic appetites of demagogues and the self-destructive willingness of collaborators who indulge them.

Travel to the heart of a Roman dynasty beset by power struggles and betrayal in this latest chapter of the tale of Nero __________ A MARRIAGE BLESSED IN BLOOD . . . Emperor Claudius is to wed his niece Agrippina. Her elevation will change so many things. Claudius will name her son Nero as heir. And any who dare cross her will live to regret it. Yet Nero – still a boy – is vulnerable. He vies for favour with his brother Britannicus. He learns to fight. He learns to love. Marry your sister-cousin Octavia, says his mother. Never mind the scandal. But those who have survived Agrippina, have long memories and short knives. To rise in Rome, others must fall. How long before Claudius realises his adopted son is a threat? And Nero stops seeing his mother as an ally? __________ 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

World-renowned Shakespeare scholar Stephen Greenblatt explores the playwright’s insight into bad (and often mad) rulers. Examining the psyche—and psychoses—of the likes of Richard III, Macbeth, Lear and Coriolanus, Greenblatt illuminates the ways in which William Shakespeare delved into the lust for absolute power and the disasters visited upon the societies over which these characters rule. Tyrant shows that Shakespeare’s work remains vitally relevant today, not least in its probing of the unquenchable, narcissistic appetites of demagogues and the self-destructive willingness of collaborators who indulge them.

Ruler. Puppet Master. Killer. Glory. Death. Well-born Athenian cavalry officer, Kineas, fought shoulder to shoulder with Alexander in his epic battles against the Persian hordes. But on his return from the east to his native city, he finds not glory but shame - and exile. With nothing to his name but his military skills, Kineas agrees to lead a band of veterans to the city of Olbia, where the Tyrant is offering good money to train the city's elite cavalry. But soon Kineas and his men find they have stumbled into a deadly maze of intrigue and conspiracy as the Tyrant plots to use them as pawns in the increasingly complex power games between his own citizens, and the dread military might of Macedon. Caught between his duty to the Tyrant, his loyalty to his men and a forbidden love affair with a charismatic Scythian noblewoman, Kineas must call on all his Athenian guile, his flair on the battlefield, and even - he is convinced - the intervention of the gods, to survive.

Ruler. Puppet Master. Killer. Glory. Death. Well-born Athenian cavalry officer, Kineas, fought shoulder to shoulder with Alexander in his epic battles against the Persian hordes. But on his return from the east to his native city, he finds not glory but shame - and exile. With nothing to his name but his military skills, Kineas agrees to lead a band of veterans to the city of Olbia, where the Tyrant is offering good money to train the city's elite cavalry. But soon Kineas and his men find they have stumbled into a deadly maze of intrigue and conspiracy as the Tyrant plots to use them as pawns in the increasingly complex power games between his own citizens, and the dread military might of Macedon. Caught between his duty to the Tyrant, his loyalty to his men and a forbidden love affair with a charismatic Scythian noblewoman, Kineas must call on all his Athenian guile, his flair on the battlefield, and even - he is convinced - the intervention of the gods, to survive.

From New York Times bestselling author Conn Iggulden, the second novel in this new trilogy finds newly-crowned Emperor Nero fending off court rivals while embracing his fate as the most feared, notorious ruler in Roman history. Ancient Rome, 50 AD. Agrippina secures her son Lucius's fate through her marriage to Emperor Claudius. Though more intelligent than her previous husbands--and with a power that is absolute--for a time she bends her husband to her will. Claudius is gentle as a lamb with a rope around its neck. So it is, that Lucius is adopted into the imperial family and becomes Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. But this is merely the first of many moves in the game of power. As mother and son risk everything--their alliances and betrayals, their cruelties and crimes, their brilliance and their ambition--this vivid tapestry is brought brilliantly to life by Conn Iggulden in T yrant .

From New York Times bestselling author Conn Iggulden, the second novel in this new trilogy finds newly-crowned Emperor Nero fending off court rivals while embracing his fate as the most feared, notorious ruler in Roman history. Ancient Rome, 50 AD. Agrippina secures her son Lucius's fate through her marriage to Emperor Claudius. Though more intelligent than her previous husbands--and with a power that is absolute--for a time she bends her husband to her will. Claudius is gentle as a lamb with a rope around its neck. So it is, that Lucius is adopted into the imperial family and becomes Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. But this is merely the first of many moves in the game of power. As mother and son risk everything--their alliances and betrayals, their cruelties and crimes, their brilliance and their ambition--this vivid tapestry is brought brilliantly to life by Conn Iggulden in T yrant .

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 ?

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 ?