The First Man in Rome Themes & Symbolism

The First Man in Rome Significant Topics

In The First Man in Rome, as in her previous writings, McCullough displays an exceptional understanding of human emotion and motivation — the undercurrents of personality which compel men and women to love, hate, succeed, and kill. In The First Man in Rome, the politicos and military men are driven by greed, pride, and ambition. Relationships are often held together or torn apart by love.

Foremost among these human motivations is ambition, exemplified in the characters of Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Both men aspire to become consul of Rome and eventually to rise to the pinnacle of political greatness and become the "First Man in Rome." This title, which was held by only a handful of Romans, indicated that a man was the first among his equals in rank and opportunity. The pre-eminence and honor of such a title were not bestowed upon a man but...
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