Scholarship has often treated the triumviral period (43–31 b.c.e.) as a prelude to the Augustan age or skimmed over it as a messy transition between Caesar and Augustus. As Francisco Pina Polo sets out in the introduction, this important new book aims to establish the triumviral period as an object of study in its own right and minimise the effects of hindsight. The focus is on structural and institutional questions rather than individuals or events (though Marcus Antonius and Caesar/Octavian do receive considerable attention), and particularly on continuities with the republican past. The book is dedicated, fittingly, to the memory of Fergus Millar.

The Triumviral Period includes nineteen chapters plus introduction and conclusion, all in English but bringing together an international ensemble of scholars (mostly from Europe and the UK). The scope is broad but is not (and does not claim to be) comprehensive, which is in part a reflection of the book's origins in a colloquium held in Zaragoza in 2019. This is not a handbook to the triumviral period; as such, it will be read most usefully in conjunction with other treatments, especially Josiah Osgood's Caesar's Legacy (2006). At the same time, it offers rich impetus for further study; indeed, in many cases, the chapters serve as ‘tasters’ for their authors’ larger projects.

A short review cannot do justice to a 500-page book, but a brief survey will indicate the richness and variety of the contents. (Disclosure: I know several of the contributors, especially Frederik Vervaet and Kathryn Welch.)

Part I on political institutions begins with Frederik Vervaet's exacting study of the legal nature and powers of the triumvirate rei publicae constituendae, a new magistracy created by the Lex Titia in 43 b.c.e. but with roots in Sulla's dictatorship and other ‘non-annual’ republican magistracies. Revisiting Millar's study of institutions under the triumvirs (JRS 63 (1973), 50–67), Francisco Pina Polo identifies considerable continuity in the formal functioning of republican institutions, but always under the thumb of the triumvirs; it was in contrast to this situation that Augustus claimed ‘restitutio rei publicae’ (however, see J. Rich in Y. Rivière (ed.), Des réformes augustéennes (2012), 37–121, cautioning against the use of this phrase). Marie-Claire Ferriès then turns to the specific case of the senate and the political significance of changes to its size and composition.

Part II, ‘War and Peace’, considers the concept and dynamics of civil war. Valentina Arena analyses bellum civile as a term that presupposed a divided community, the opposite of which was not concordia but pax. Carsten Hjort Lange takes the pact of Brundisium as case study to show that a central part of the triumviral assignment was to end civil wars. Hannah Cornwell explores how processes of negotiation and reconciliation during the triumviral period adapted elements of interstate relations but also symbols of personal concordia. As Arena, Lange and Cornwell all treat aspects of the same question, this is one place in the volume where closer dialogue between contributions might have been rewarding. The section ends with Francesca Rohr Vio's study of the use of children in civil war and some continuities with earlier practice and legend.

The longest section, Part III, focuses on political communication. Catherine Steel examines how oratory in the triumviral period reflected the fracturing of political norms; one striking feature was the phenomenon of female public speech. Martin Jehne's study of invective under the triumvirate observes how the people, as a collective, retained the freedom to insult their leaders. Frédéric Hurlet considers the significance of fear in Rome in the 40s and 30s and how Augustus exploited this emotion to promote himself as restorer of peace and security. Henriette van der Blom is also interested in Augustus’ manipulation of the triumviral past, suggesting that he played an important role in shaping the reception of his own oratory. Enrique García Riaza's chapter explores different means of communication employed in the triumviral period and highlights the importance of neutral spaces such as river islands (a feature flagged earlier by Cornwell). Kathryn Welch concludes the section with a study of Marcus Antonius’ self-presentation and his role in creating important visual and rhetorical tropes of the era, such as the use of bearded portraits on coins. In these chapters, as throughout the volume, we see significant innovations emerge from and between threads of continuity.

Part IV considers economic and social impacts on Rome and Italy. Dominik Maschek argues that marked growth in consumption and large-scale building projects was a cause and not just a reflection of the turmoil of the triumviral period. Cristina Rosillo-López presents a wide-ranging survey of evidence for suffering and social unrest in Italy which shows (despite the necessarily brief treatment) that the young Caesar was not fully in control prior to 31 b.c.e. Marta García Morcillo analyses the triumvirs’ financial strategies, arguing that they included serious attempts at long-term reform in the areas of inheritance and taxation as well as short-term money-grabs, although these objectives were not fully realised until the Augustan period. The chapter is thus important for our understanding both of the triumviral period and of processes of reform in Rome more generally.

Part V on the provinces begins with Alejandro Díaz Fernández's study of provincial administration in Hispania, arguing that the triumvirs (like the dictator Caesar) returned to the traditional republican method of governance through proconsuls ex consulatu, albeit by triumviral appointment and under triumviral supervision (and thus not to the use of legati as pioneered by Pompeius Magnus or to the system introduced by the Lex Pompeia of 52 b.c.e., despite Díaz Fernández's query at 423). Andrea Raggi updates Fergus Millar's collection of triumviral documents (cited above); these show, Raggi suggests, that the triumvirs desired senatorial confirmation of their acts down to 39 b.c.e. and that Antonius accepted the young Caesar's right to intervene in cities of the east. W. Jeffrey Tatum zooms in on Antonius in Athens, reading between the lines of Plutarch's artful account to show how Antonius was honoured after Philippi in ways that enhanced his image and maintained traditional forms of imperial interaction. Clifford Ando then concludes the volume by drawing connections with legal history, the rule of law, and Roman desire for continuity pursued in part through legal language and institutions. The enduring importance of republican institutions and practices — however damaged or deformed — is indeed the overarching theme of the book.

The volume is laudable for its thematic coherence as well as its coverage, though greater dialogue between chapters would have been welcome (for instance, Vervaet's chapter sets out to provide an institutional framework for other contributions, but is not often referenced), as would the consistent inclusion of English translations of Greek and Latin passages. There is also some inconsistency in naming conventions, especially for the future Augustus, who appears variously as (the younger) Caesar or as Octavian/Octavianus (even Octavius: 236). Physically, the book is attractive and well produced, despite its affordable price-point. It is a shame, however, that quite a few typographical errors have slipped through.

The Triumviral Period is an impressive addition to the Libera Res Publica series and seems certain to become a standard work on what it rightly identifies as a critical period of Roman history.