The Death of Kings, is book two in The Emperor-series by Conn Iggulden. In many ways this is a more enjoyable read than the first book. Here, Caesar and Brutus are young men soldiering for Rome.
Iggulden is great 
Iggulden also has a command of the realities of daily life in the world of the Romans. He shows us the little things as well – history’s great figures dealing with the frustrations and agonies of the real world: pulled muscles, tormenting flies, and romance that isn’t working. As well, the world he shows us is a civilized world with its own craft and technology, different from ours – thus interesting – and well described.
Forced to flee Rome, Julius, a rising young officer assigned to the Roman-controlled northern coast of Africa, distinguishes himself in a bloody raid on the fortress of Mytilene only to have his transport ship captured by pirates. He and the crew are thrown into the hold to rot while awaiting a ransom that will likely ruin his family back in Rome. After the ransom arrives, Julius gathers his loyal men and marches along the coast, impressing the locals into military service. He then makes good on his promise to wipe out the pirates. Having done that, he takes his forces to Greece, where he defeats old king Mithridates, who is leading an insurrection that threatens Roman rule in all of Greece.
Thus the young Julius returns to Rome victorious and rich. However, he soon finds that the corruption and thug-like violence at the heart of the Republic has come near to destroying those he holds dear, including his wife and small daughter.
, and at amazon UK: Emperor-series
