I, Julia

Year 192. In Rome, the insane Emperor Commodus rules, who considers himself the new Hercules, staging demonstrations of his superhuman strength and holding the families of governors from distant provinces hostage. The Senate loses its remaining patience, and one of... those periods in Roman history arrives when being emperor is particularly dangerous for one's life.
After the death of Commodus, Julia Domna, the wife of Governor Septimius Severus, goes to her husband, thereby giving him free rein, and soon several emperors emerge in and around Rome: aside from the Roman one, there are two more in distant provinces, including Severus himself. Political intrigues, attempts to forge alliances, conspiracies, several wars — for five tumultuous years, Julia stands shoulder to shoulder with her husband, acting as his full-fledged advisor and displaying considerable political and strategic talents. And Julia has her own plan — her ambitions demand not just to bring Septimius Severus to power...
Santiago Posteguillo, a philologist and linguist, a meticulous researcher and energetic storyteller, author of historical bestsellers dedicated to the history of Ancient Rome, including a multi-volume epic about Julius Caesar, which he is currently working on («Rome - it's me», «Rome, the cursed city»), has written a duology about Julia Domna — a woman who effectively ruled Rome at a time when no one asked for women's opinions. In the novel «I, Julia», which received the prestigious Planeta award in 2018, the brilliant figure, voiceless for many centuries, finally finds her voice.