Caesar's Nemesis - out now!

Ancient Rome and more: Alex Gough’s newsletter

12.6.26

Caesar’s Nemesis, the epic conclusion to my Mark Antony quadrilogy is out now! This book follows Mark Antony from Italy in 40BC, with the first major cracks showing in his partnership with Octavian, to his heroic feats in Parthia, and the well-known tragic ending (no spoilers if you genuinely don’t know!).

I’ve loved writing about this fascinating and complex man, and I hope everyone who joined me on the journey has a new appreciation of him. I started writing about Mark Antony after a brainstorm with my then editor, Michael Baskar. At the beginning most of what I knew about him came from my reading of general Roman history books, plus seminal portrayals by the greatest actors such as Charlton Heston, Marlon Brandon, James Purefoy and Sid James (in Carry on Cleo!). I knew he had his flaws, but what I didn’t realise was that he was actually a nice guy by the standards of the times – loyal to his friends, respectful to his enemies, and though he was a womaniser, he generally treated his women well while he was with them.

Of course there were exceptions. The way he dealt with Cicero’s dead body was in marked contrast to the respect he showed Brutus, and though he treated some of his wives as valued partners, Antonia, Fulvia and Octavia all had cause for complaint – more for neglect and/or abandonment than deliberate cruelty. And he made many mistakes in his career.

Still, I think there are many reasons to respect and admire Mark Antony, not least his actions during his Parthian expedition, detailed in this novel. I hope you enjoy Caesar’s Nemesis, and please leave a review and/or let me know what you think of it.

Caesar’s Nemesis by Alex Gough

From the back cover:

A hero will fall. An emperor will rise.

Mark Antony is Caesar’s successor, victor over Caesar’s murderers Brutus and Cassius, and the most powerful man in the world.

Yet he cannot be complacent. Octavian, Caesar’s heir, is ambitious, intelligent and ruthless. Antony must prove himself with a great military victory to hold onto his position, and marches against Rome’s old foe: the Parthian empire. But this is a formidable opponent; the bones of many legions lie on the battlefields of the East. And with the beguiling Cleopatra distracting him, can Antony come out on top?

Antony’s final years are a whirlwind of shifting alliances, betrayals and war. In the end, the Battle of Actium will decide the fate of the empire, and set the course of history for the next two thousand years.

From Alexandria to Actium, this clash established a dynasty and struck down one of Rome’s greatest heroes.

Praise for the Mark Antony series:

‘A bold and exciting recreation of the Roman world’ Harry Sidebottom, author of the Warrior of Rome series

‘A compelling and admirably detailed opening act to what promises to be a truly epic saga.’ Ian Ross, author of the Twilight of Empire series

‘Roman fiction has a new master in Alex Gough.’ S. J. A. Turney, author of the Marius’ Mules series

‘Caesar’s Soldier puts flesh on the historical bones of Marcus Antonius... The first in a series, Caesar’s Soldier leaves us eagerly awaiting the next volume’ Amanda Cockrell, author of The Borderlands Books

‘A tour de force from a master of Roman fiction’ Gordon Doherty, author of the Rise of Emperors series

‘A fascinating account of a complex and compelling man’ Ruth Downie, author of the Medicus Series

‘Another thrilling Roman read from Alex Gough, sparkling with life’ Alison Morton, author of the Roma Nova Thrillers

I would love any feedback or contacts about any of my work or Ancient Rom in general, either here on Substack, or on social media. I’m currently most active on my Facebook page, Alex Gough Author, where I share interesting Roman-themed news, pictures and articles, but I’m also occasionally on X: @romanfiction, and bluesky @alexgoughauthor.bsky.social. My website is www.romanfiction.com

Until next time.

Vale,

Alex