Gaius is the confident, intelligent, ruthless great nephew of Julius Caesar. Driven by ambition and status, he takes power by force with childhood friend and general Agrippa, wiping out opponents including Livius. He successfully transforms himself from gangster to statesman when he marries into Roman aristocracy. Gaius is a great politician made greater by Livia’s political mind. She is his consigliere and his great love, despite their tempestuous relationship. He is an autocrat whose increasing obsession with his family bloodline becomes Livia’s greatest obstacle.