Inferno (The Nero Trilogy)
The final chapter of Iggulden’s Nero trilogy provides a fittingly poignant conclusion to the story of one of Rome’s most hated emperors. While the novel takes creative liberties with certain events, it places readers in an authentic Rome. The mindsets of the characters and environment they inhabit feel real and lived in, which is the hallmark of good historical fiction. The prose is well-tuned enough to immerse readers in the action without being overly ostentatious. The pacing has an immediacy that makes this a genuine page turner, even if one already knows the main beats of Nero’s life.
Nero may be the master of Rome, but he is still a slave to the ancient traditions that govern it. Keenly aware of his own inadequacies, he is faced with the choice of submitting to the expectations of the Roman Senate and citizenry, or attempting to bend them to his will. At no point does the protagonist ever become wholly likable, but there is something undeniably human about his pettiness and flawed judgments. As he descends into fear and isolation, it is impossible not to feel some sympathy.
In the historical note included at the end, Iggulden explains the historical basis of the novel and what Nero means to him. The author is no impartial narrator; he believes that Nero has been unjustly treated by history, and that conviction permeates this novel. The side characters and setting are similarly well-loved by the author, resulting in a detailed and nuanced portrayal of Rome in the 60s AD.
Maps and a genealogical tree help readers to situate the novel within its context. This is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read that will satisfy the trilogy’s fans. It is self-contained enough that new readers may use it as an entry point, but I would still recommend reading the trilogy in chronological order.
