Forged in Rome cover art

Forged in Rome

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

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 Months Free + £10 Audible voucher

£5.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.
Get this deal
Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST.
More purchase options

Forged in Rome

By: Conn Iggulden
Narrated by: Piers Hampton
Get this deal

£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

Buy Now for £13.79

Buy Now for £13.79

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
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
All stars
Most relevant
My first Conn book, it was so good. The story and character depth were amazing. Narrator was brilliant, I can't wait for the next one.

Amazing characters and story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A bit different from other Rome bases novels. Mixed with a bit of Count of monte cristo.

Very enjoyable

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews