The Birth of Rome

The Official Website of Richard Reilly

From mud huts to a city of stone, the true story of the rise of the Roman Republic.

The Birth of Rome is an epic tale of the real men and women who built the greatest city in history - and declared themselves free!

This is the living, breathing story of Rome, and the people who fused together a collection of tribal villages into the most powerful city in Western history. We all know about the decline of Rome, but the origins of this ancient superpower have been shrouded in mystery - until now.

The epic adventure follows the fortunes of two families: one Latin, the other Etruscan. In the course of 120 years they found a dynasty that struggles to remain free and independent. When tyranny strikes from within, it falls upon the first Brutus to overthrow the oppressor, and establish a republic of free men.

Through three generations we follow Rome's birth and rise to glory, including lavish descriptions of chariot races and gladiator fights, sea battles and armored hoplites in phalanx formation, Sibylline Prophecies and a visit to the Oracle of Delphi.

The human drama unfolds as well: the love triangle between the first king, his soothsayer queen, and the general of the first legion. We see poison, murder, secret societies and acts of noble sacrifice. The world stage is also brought to life, with Carthage fighting off Greek intruders, and the Etruscan League's slow descent into obscurity. And it is all true.

The reader relives famous vignettes such as Horatius Defending the Bridge, and Three Champions Against Three, but underlying all is a story of a people determined to find and keep their own identity, a story rekindled two thousand years later by the American Revolution, and remains just as relevant today.

History textbooks devote a few pages to Rome's origins, but never before has the tale been brought to vivid life in a novel. It just may be the greatest story never told.

Purchase the E-Book Now.
$20 to purchase the complete E-Book, 457 pages, w/ maps, graphics, genealogy, TOC.

Purchase a printed version.
$29.95 plus S&H to purchase a printed version, 457 pages, w/ maps, graphics, TOC, in a very legible format: 11 pt font, 1.5 line spacing, double-sided, plastic covers, 8.5 x 11, 2.5 lbs weight.